The director must determine the spine, or main theme, of the play which is maintaining one's status and reputation. The style should be expressionism to effectively convey the satire. Key roles are cast with comedic actors like Hugh Laurie as John Worthing. The sets showcase upper class wealth through the time period of 1895 in London. Lighting aims to keep the mood light to match the comedy. Costumes reflect the Victorian era with elegant dresses and tailored suits to distinguish the characters' class.

1. By: Ben Le, Danh Nguyen, Katelynn Tran,
Elaine Tran (Group 7)
THEA 1331: Jon Egging
TA: Park Fetch

2. Benjamin Le

3. 
 Choose the script
 Be involved in casting
 Determine the “spine” of the play
 Shape the “spine” and implement the theme of the play
 Determine the style that compliments the spine
 Develop a directorial concept for the play
Objectives of the Director

4. 
 John Worthing: Hugh Laurie
 Laurie is known for his roles in many British
comedy’s and sketches, most notably his role in
“A Bit of Fry and Laurie.” His comedic timing and
dry wit can bring out the satire in “The
Importance of Being Earnest.”
 Algernon Moncrieff: Sacha Baron Cohen
 Cohen has made a living on satirizing different
leaders and peoples around the world e.g. “Borat”
and “Ali G.” His wit will also serve to enahance
Oscar Wilde’s satire and compliment Laurie’s
main role.
The Cast

5. 
 Gwendolen Fairfax: Anne Hathaway
 An Academy-Award winning actress with a
background in theatre.
 Cecily Cardew: Amanda Seyfried
 Seyfried is a popular actress who has played
similar characters in “Les Miserables” and
“Sweeney Todd”
 Mr. Chasuble: Ian McKellen
 Another character with a background in theatre
who can provide a character who contrast to the
rest.
The Cast (cont.)

6. 
 Lady Bracknell: Meryl Streep
 Miss Prism: Maggie Smith
 Merriman: Alan Rickman
 Lane: Michael Caine
The Cast (cont.)

7.  The “spine” is the main action that
motivates the play. The director must
decide on the spine to revolve the play
around.
 The overwhelming satire of upper class
reputation and the constant deception in
the play dictates that the spine must be
the maintaining of one’s status or
reputation.
 Most actions taken by the play’s characters are
motivated by maintaining their reputation whether
it be talking about trivialities or lying to keep up
appearances.
The “Spine” of the Play

8. 
 A play’s style is “the manner in which the spine is to
be articulated.”
 The style must be appropriate and consistent.
 The style is a way for the director to leave his/her
imprint on the production.
 The style of expressionism fits Oscar Wilde’s “The
Importance of Being Earnest” best.
 Through the conversations in the play, Wilde gives outward
expression to inner feelings; this is the exact definition of an
expressionistic style.
 This style, in which Wilde’s opinions and satire are effectively
brought out, will articulate the play’s spine most effectively.
The Style of the Play

9. 
 The time period in which the play may take place can
range from Elizabethan to modern times. The idea of
the upper class and their behaviors stand true for most
time periods.
 A centralizing image of the play may be a handbag.
Handbags are common to the upper class and it is also
where the play’s protagonist is found as an infant.
 The concept should stay as true to Wilde’s original
script and idea as possible. It satirizes the upper class
effectively and is still relevant today with the exception
of some of the trivialities that characters ramble on
about.
Directorial Concept

10. Danh Nguyen

11. 
 Goals
 Create a setting on stage for performers
 Be able to show the mood of the play through the set
 For relaxed mood we would use easy and simple sets and uplifting
music
 For rigid and proper mood we would use complex sets and slow
classical music
 Help differentiate between realistic and non realistic location of the
set
 Have an open mindset, design concept in your mind to collaborate
with the products and directors.
 Be able to establish the setting and time period of the play
 Also be able to provide a visual metaphor of the set
 An example from this play with the cigarette case
Set Designer

12. 
 The setting is in the afternoon at
Algernon’s flat in Half-Moon St. in
London. The year is 1895.
 The set would fill his apartment with
elegant things and designer furniture to
fit the time period and Algernon’s class.
 You would have a large chandelier
hanging in the middle of the room to
show how rich he is.
 Visual metaphor – is the Cigarette case.
It has the words “dear Uncle Jack”
written on it. To tie to the theme about
being Earnest.
Act 1

13. 
 The setting was still at
Algernon’s apartment, but this
time it was in a different room.
As Lady Bracknell and
Gwendolen arrive to his house,
they went to the living room.
 There would be fancy sofas,
and a fancy corner for when
“Ernest” and Gwendolen sit
and talk about their love.
Act 1 (cont.)

14.  The setting is Jack’s manor
house.
 A house with a magnificent
garden, with a background
like a Victorian style, very
elegant
 Lots of roses and plants to
show how big the garden is
 The Act would start with
Miss Prism trying to teach
Cecily German while she is
watering the roses in the
garden.
Act 2

15. 
 The second set would still
be outside in the garden
but this time it is near the
front door.
 Jack and Algernon are
caught lying, when Jack
says Earnest has died and
that the cigarette case
would be visible on stage
 The set would then move
to inside the house as they
walk into the house while
arguing.
Act 2(Cont.)

16. 
 The setting is still Jack’s Manor
House
 As Jack and Algernon are sitting
and talking in the garden. They
were confronted by Cecily and
Gwendolen
 The two has to try and make up
excuses to explain why they lied
about their names
 The Cigarette case is represented as
Jack.
 After trying to come up with the
excuses the men decided to just
rename themselves
Act 3

17. 
 The set is still Jack’s Manor House garden.
 Now Dr. Chasuble and Miss Prism enter
the set
 Then it turns out that Miss Prism was the
one to leave Jack in a handbag as an infant.
 Everyone then realized what the situation
is, now everyone is happy for Jack to marry
Gwendolen and Algernon to marry Cecily.
Act 3 (cont.)

18. Elaine Tran

19. 
 Purposes:
• Highlight the stage’s composition
• Aids in creation of mood
• Manipulate the focal point of the audience’s view
• Create the rhythm of movement
Light Design

20. 
 The lighting in throughout the play will be bright and
colorful to accentuate the upper class wealth common
to many characters in the play. The lighting will rarely
ever be very dark or menacing.
 This will also help to create a much lighter mood
especially in comparison to darker plays e.g. Hamlet.
 This is because “The Importance of Being Earnest” is a satire that
incorporates comedy to project its message.
Rhythm

21. 
 Floodlights will shine throughout the stage
to present to the audience that the time is
afternoon.
 Spotlight will focus on Jack as it is revealed
that he lied about his identity to Algernon.
 Intensify the mood of love and excitement as
Jack proposes to Gwendolen by shining two
pink spotlights on them both.
Act I

22. 
 I will keep the floodlight intensity at a
medium, but not focus it on the characters.
This way the audience can tell that it is still
afternoon.
 Black spotlight shines on Algernon and
slowly dims to hint a little foreshadowing as
the curtains drop and Act ends.
Act I (cont.)

23. 
 I will use a high intensity of floodlights
throughout this act since the setting is
outside Jack’s Manor House garden and
enhance the vivid roses.
 To create a sense of love mood, I will again
use two pink spotlights or a pink backdrop
on Algernon and Cecily as he proposes to
her.
Act II

24.  When Jack and Algernon get caught
lying to Cecily and Gwendolen about
being Ernest Worthing I will shine two
red spotlights on the men.
 Slowly dim lights as the act ends with
Jack raging at Algernon finishing up
his muffin and tea.
Act II (cont.)

25. 
 Create bright floodlights as the scene starts
up.
 I will increase the intensity of the spotlights
on Jack and Algernon as they get interrogated
by Cecily and Gwendolen.
 When Lady Bracknell enters, spotlight will
shine on her and gradually turn red when she
calls out Miss Prism.
Act III

26.  Shift the spotlight towards Miss Prism as she is being
interrogated by Jack and Lady Bracknell.
 I will then take the spotlight off Lady Prism and lighten up
the stage with yellow floodlights to create a happy mood.
 As the Act finishes up with everybody
 embracing one another, I will slowly
 die the lights down and shut them
 off for the final curtain call.
Act III (cont.)

27. Katelynn Tran

28.  Help establish the style of the play
 Indicate time and setting of the play.
 Indicate the characters’ roles, class, and personalities.
 Show relationships among characters
 Incorporate, through symbolism, the themes of the play
 Meet the needs of individual performers in terms of freedom of
movement and costume changes.
 Be consistent with the productions a whole, especially other
visual elements.
Costume Designer Goals

29. 
 Characters will be seen with Victorian period clothing as
the play takes place in the 1890s
 Upper class men wore tailored suits with cravats (modern
tailored neckties)
 Top hats and gloves were normally worn when
outdoors
 Upper class women wore ballroom dresses with the skirts
being the widest during this time period
 Some women also wore tailored suits
 High collars were popular as well
 Hats were enormous with feather or flower details
Costume Design

30. 
 John Worthing, J.P. (also known as Jack)
 Dressed casual with a bit of formality for his intended
proposal to his lover, Gwendolen
 Algernon Moncrieff
 Dressed presentable and fashionable way as he’s expecting
company in his home (Act I)
 Gwendolen Fairfax
 Young in age, comes with Lady Bracknell for tea so will be
dressed fancy and resembling youth, remains this way
throughout the play
Costume Design
Major Roles

31. Jack Worthing Algernon Moncrieff
Gwendolen
Costume Design
Major Roles

32. 
 Cecily Cardew
 Not as wealthy as Gwendolen, but younger and should be
dressed a little more casual but still trying to achieve elegance
when she is presented watering the plants outside the Manor
House
 Lady Bracknell
 Asked by Algernon to come by for afternoon tea, should be
dressed elegantly because of the way she speaks highly of
herself and continues to dress that way throughout the play
 Miss Prism
 Not wealthy like Lady Bracknell, is an educator and is not as
proper or formal as the upper class women. She is seen
wearing more casual Victorian clothing without the immense
details that Lady Bracknell may have on her attire.
Costume Design
Major Roles

33. 
Cecily Cardew
Lady Bracknell Miss Prism
Costume Design
Major Roles

34. 
 Rev. Canon Chausable
 He is a reverend and is described as “typical” and not hold
a high status. He is seen dressed in a black gown and a bible
by his side.
 Merriman (Butler)
 Butlers held a higher status during the Victorian period and
were seen with a more open blazer revealing that he only
works inside
 Lane (Manservant)
 Lane is seen wearing a closed blazer that is less elegant than
that of Merriman’s to show that his job requires going
outside and more work is required
Costume Design
Minor Roles

35. 
Costume Design
Minor Roles
Rev. Chausable Merriman
Lane