B Y S E U N G H O N G , K E V I N L U O N G , A N D

J A C Q U E L I N E W I L L I A M SG R O U P 9 1

The Importance Of Being Earnest

Choosing the script

Out of the 4 plays to choose from, we chose The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde.

For the play, our group decided to make sure that the play was easy to understand and also

interesting to read.

In the play, I felt there were aspects of comedy, romance, and tension. Throughout the play I

felt that the comedy and romance kept me interested in the play from beginning to end.

The play’s setting was set around the late 1800’s and in a wealthy setting.

The simplicity of the setting makes it easier for us to make the set because the portion of the

play we are performing are located in two locations. One inside a wealthy home and in a

garden.

The Cast

Algeron Moncrieff – Ashton Kutcher

The reason why I chose Ashton Kutcher for the role of Algeronwas because Algeron’s personallity is very silly, sarcastic, and funny. From Kutcher’s pervious roles I feel that I was able to see a lot of these characteristics in him. Also, Ashton Kutchershows a lot of compassion much like the compassion that Algeron shows for Cesily.

John Worthing – Leonardo Dicaprio• The reason why I chose Leonardo Dicaprio for the role of John Worthing was because I felt that Dicaprio has a lot of experience and can act out many different types of characters. John Worthingis a very serious but very outgoing. Worthing is in love with Gwendolen in the play and I feel that Dicaprio will be able act out the romance between them because of the role he had in “Titanic”.

The Cast Cont’d

Gwendolen Fairfax – Natalie Portman

I feel that Natalie Portman is the perfect role for Gwendolen because as I read the play I felt that her character was very well mannered and could keep her composure. I also felt that her character was a more mature than the 18 year old Cesily and very beautiful. I feel that Natalie Portman could perform this character quite well.

Cesily Cardew – Emma Roberts

• Cesily Cardew’s personality I felt was innocent, playful, and ditsy. So I very much felt that the actress should be a young and beautiful character that could play her role. Emma Roberts I felt could play this role very well because she is a very young actress that could relate to her character.

Lane – Sir Michael Caine• Even though Lane was not a major character in the play, I felt that he was very close to his master, Algeron. When I read the play I felt that the relationship between Algeron and Lane closely resembled Alfred and Bruce Wayne’s relationship. Considering Michael Caine’s pervious role in Bat Man I feel that he would fit the role well.

The Cast Cont’d

Rev. Canon Chausuble – Morgan Freeman Rev Chausuble in the play also had a minor part in the play

but I felt that Morgan Freeman was a nice addition for his character. Rev. Chausuble throughout the play was a very educated and insightful man. Morgan Freeman I think will play this part very well because Freeman is able to act very small parts but make the audience feel emotions through his voice and insight.

Lady Bracknell – Cate Blanchett• For the character Lady Bracknell I felt that the character was very strict and proper women that followed guidelines, especially the ones set by society. I felt that Cate Blanchett could be a kind hearted women toward Gwedolen but then also be strict against the idea of her marring John.

The Cast Cont’d

Miss Prism – Gweneth Paltrow

For the character Miss Prism I felt was a lady that could be strict lady when it comes to studies but a compassionate women that would like walks in the garden.

Merriman Butler – Simon Kunz• Merriman was the butler in the last couple acts that had to run in and out of scenes to get jobs done and I found that quite funny as his only role was to announce someone's arrival or to get a task done that was never used. Simon Kunz I feel would be able to show the comedic version of this character.

Spine of the Play

The main action or conflict in the play I felt was the controversy between both couples and the name Ernest. The name Ernest was so important to Ceslily and Gwendolen that it could mean the difference between marriage and breakup. Also marriage to these women were so important that Algeron and John were willing to get baptized under the name Ernest.

The title of the play was The Importance of Being Earnest is a pun in itself because the title of the play didn't actually mean a person should be earnest in living but have the name Ernest.

In the play I felt that the most important aspect was the comedy within play because it kept me interested in the play. Also the twisted romance also brought about an interesting twist to the idea of romance.

Theme

I believe that the play had multiple themes such as money, social society, love, lies and deceit.

Throughout the play most of the characters had massive amounts of wealth and judged the importance of a human being through social class and the amount of money they had. Examples from the play would be when John was getting questioned about where he lived, how he earned his money and what his family background was. This is a major theme because most of the play is about the rich and Gwendolen’smarriage is high based on wealth and background.

One of the major themes of the play is love because the play is mostly based on the main characters Algeron and John falling in love and trying to do almost anything to make sure they can marry the women they love, even if it means changing their names and religion. To make sure they could marry the ones they loved they lied about their names and tried to deceive the women. They were not being earnest.

Directorial Concept

This play is a romantic comedy about the importance of being earnest in life and having the name Ernest.

When performing their respective roles, I want the actors and actresses to be able to include a different aspect of the character that isn’t included necessarily in the play.

I feel that the stage should a thrust stage because I feel that this type of stage will make the audience feel more included in the play and also enjoy the comedic effect of the script.

Also the costumes in the play I felt should be from around the late 1890’s and from the upper-class.

Set Design

Environment

• The Best Ideal Stage would be

the Proscenium.

• This gives the audience a

view that will allow the play

to transition into different

scenes.

• This stage gives the audience

a classy set, given that this

first showed in the late 1800’s

Mood & Style

• The late 1800’s falls in the

era known as “The

Victorian.”

• The setting of the home

should make the audience

feel like they’re in the late

1800’s early 1900’s.

• Coming into the house the

audience should have a

soothing feel with the piano

playing in the back along

with cup of warm tea set out

on the table.

Realistic Vs Non-realistic

• We considered “The Importance of Being Earnest” as a realistic play because of the costume, dialog and the environment can make the audience feel that they can actually be part of the play if they were living in that time.

Locale and Period

• The time period for late 1800’s – early 1900’s was called the Victorian Period.

• During this time, there were horses and carriages for transportation and the option to walk as well.

Design Concept

• The design concept is very important since the play has a new scene every time there is a new act.

• We feel that the play inside of the home consist of a lot of decorations such as drapes and vases with very large chairs to have that royal feel with windows that are letting the light in to make the

Design Concept

Continued..

• We feel that the Garden

of the Manor House, was

the beginning of the

blooming season

because that’s is when

jack realizes that he has

to abandon the double

life and the truth begins

to come out from

everyone.

Central Image

• We believe that the audience should realize that the play itself is mocking the Victorian era because it does not relate to love and romance but a comedy play, however the set design is displayed as its suppose to be in the late 1800’s.

Costume Design

1890’s

Victorian

Gwendolen

• The prime example of a woman of high society and fashion, instilled by her mother.

• She is sophisticated and smart.

Lady Bracknell

• Snobby and tries to be witty.

• Focuses on her finding the perfect husband for her daughter

Higher Class Society Women

• Females of higher class wear flared skirts and blouses with extensive detail, and puffy sleeves, as portrayed by Lady Bracknell and Gwendolen.

• The costumes of the these characters are of style and elegance to directly relate their high status in the society.

Women of Lower Society

• Miss Prism

• Cecily

• The differences in costumes between higher and lower class conveys the theme of the importance between the social classes during that time.

Jack

• With his importance in society as a major landowner and justice of the peace, his clothing his solid tailored suits.

• The clothing illustrates his position in the play and how his occupation plays a role in what he wears.

• Protagonist of the play.

Algernon

• His character is very charming, and he’s a bachelor, and witty.

• His clothing reflects his personality, which he wears detailed suits.

Algernon

• He was “overdressed” according to Jack, his clothing is more elaborate.

• He will wear patterned suits which also mirrors his character.