This document provides details for designing and producing a theatrical adaptation of Oscar Wilde's play "The Importance of Being Earnest". It discusses the plot, themes, characters, settings, costumes, lighting, and other production elements. The play is a satire of Victorian era social norms and values, using humor and farce. Production elements like the set design, costumes, and lighting should reflect the time period while enhancing the themes of deception and maintaining social appearances over truth and sincerity.

2.  The Importance of being Earnest

3.  Keeping up appearances in
society is more important
than actually being earnest.
 Marriage is a social tool
based on reputation and
financial background
 Leading dual lives is the
common norm of modern life
in order to keep
appearances

4.  This play is a satire; the tone is mocking and
involves comedic elements and so the
mood is light and airy
 This play takes place during 1895 in London
partly in the country and partly in the town
› The Garden at the Manor House in Act II is sunlit,
old-fashioned, and rose filled
› The Drawing-room in Act III is a light and airy
room
 Interior settings are lit in a different manner than exterior
settings

6.  This play is a unrealistic drama that does
not fall into the social “norm”.
 No one marries a person based on their
first name.
 This leads into the satirizing of the
characters, and making fun of how they
want to marry someone because of the
name. Ex: Gwendolyn desiring to marry a
man of the name Ernest.

7.  Period
› Victorian Era
 Play revolves around a farce of some of the Victorian
era values such as hypocrisy, arbitrary honesty, and
lack of moral constraints
 Remains true to original meaning of script
 Central Image
› A central image or metaphor representing the play
› Could be done through Set design:
 Have a mirror image set to represent double life
concept

8.  Ernest/Jack Worthing
› Colin Firth
 Algernon Moncrieff
› Ed Westwick
 He is able to play aristocratic roles
verywell and carries a British
accent.

9.  Gwendolen Fairfax
› KeiraKnightley
 Cecily Cardew
› Reese Witherspoon
 Lady Bracknell
› Julie Andrews

10.  Rev. Chasuble
› Paxton Whitehead
 Lane
› Edward Fox
 Ms. Prism
› Maggie Smith

11.  Main conflict:
› Both men have two reasons to lead double lives:
 Wanting to marry their respective lovers
 Escaping Victorian Era
social responsibilities

12.  Selective Realism
› Resembles Victorian Era life and customs but
one thing is not accurate:
 The desire to marry someone with the name
Ernest is too unrealistic.

13.  Creating the physical production
requires the director to work closely with
set, costume, light, scene, and sound
designers, and actors.
› To ensure the main themes and purpose of
the play is consistent in all elements.
› To cast the parts and rehearse

15.  the couch is an important factor
because the idea of sitting down is
mentioned.
 significant set pieces include: a plate
of cucumber sandwiches, a cigarette
case

16.  Problem: the size not being big
enough.
 solution: measure the dimensions of
the performing space then
accommodate to those needs and
set pieces. Make sure the sight lines
are clear so that no area of the
space that you want being noticed is
ignored when a the production is
playing.

17. Problem: the set is not how it was
pictured
solution: the set designers should
be present when the design and
setting is being constructed. They
are the ones who designed it
and know the details concerning
the set.

18. Problem: Not having enough
time.
solution: Easy, get started right
away. Don’t procrastinate. The
set design is all a major part of
the show. Know how things are
going to be built and be one
step ahead of the game.

19.  The set pieces should also contribute to
the whole of the play and collaboration
with the other team members is
important with this

20.  Lighting is essential to theatre; it adds
feeling and substance to a play and
heightens the quality of the setting and
understanding for the audience.
 It provides emphasis when needed,
maintaining the kinesthetic connection
between audience and theatre
 Adds visibility; shape and form; focus
and composition; mood and style; and
time and place

21.  The intensity of this play
would differ; the dimmers
would be use in
transitions between Acts
in the town and country
› The daylight scenes would
take place in bright, warm
light
› The light would be dimmed
for the town scene
 To the right is an example
of the Manor Lighting
©http://sarahlambert.squarespace.com/picture/cu%20earnest%201.jpg?pict
ureId=6180036&asGalleryImage=true

22.  The colors of the lighting would most
likely be warm for the scenes in the
garden and outdoors and a bit cooler
and dimmer for the indoor scenes
©http://www.rosebrand.com/images/portfolio/Earnest-Curtains.jpg
©http://sarahlambert.squarespace.com/picture/cu%20
earnest%202.jpg?pictureId=6180037&asGalleryImage=tr
ue

23.  The soft-edged
spotlight could be
used for this play
 For example, the
Fresnel to the right,
can be flooded to
cover the stage area
©http://www.archiexpo.com/prod/spotlight/halogen-
lamp-fresnel-projectors-theatre-56998-691870.html

24.  An automated or moving
light is very versatile and
could be used for this
play because it can
focus, change
color, change the size of
the beam, and change
focus
 This could be helpful
when transition from Act II
to Act III (the indoor to
outdoor setting change)
 Ex. Barco automated
light to the right
©http://previewcf.turbosquid.com/Preview/2012/01/08_
_07_21_19/Barco%20Digital%20Automated%20Light%20
moving%20head%20luminaire%20stage%20lighting%20dj
%20spot%20projector%20lamp%20theatre%20light%20dis
co%20dance%20floor%20spotloght%20equipment%2000
01.jpg5a318c33-badd-4e13-bbdd-

25.  The style of the play will be very
expensive and high class as the
characters all come from a wealthy
status- including expensive looking
materials such as silk and embroidery.
 The costumes will include jewelry and
hats, as well as items such as pocket
watches.
 The clothing will be of the Victorian era.

27.  The clothing for Cecily, Gwendolyn,
Jack, Algernon, and Lady Bracknell will
be extravagant and elegant.

28.  Clothing for the lesser characters will be
less as extravagant but still expensive
looking as majority of them come from
the same class.
 However, for characters such as Miss
Prism, Reverend Chausable and Lane will
be of a lower class.

29.  It would be easier for the men to change
because their clothes are less restrictive,
and could essentially keep the same shirt
and pants- only having to change their
coats with the accessories attached pre-
production.
 The women would be harder to change
as their clothing is tight and many layers.