The season of The Importance of Being Earnest has now ended. Please refer to our homepage for current or upcoming shows.

"A masterpiece of honed wit and formal perfection."

The Telegraph

In Oscar Wilde’s most famous play, the dandy Algernon and dapper Jack are best friends, who, unbeknownst to each other, both employ different identities in London and the countryside.

When Jack proposes to Algernon’s cousin Gwendolen, and Algernon falls for Jack’s ward Cecily, both do so using the pseudonym Ernest. Amidst mistaken identities and giddy confusion towers Gwendolen’s mother, the imposing Lady Bracknell, as a paragon of Victorian propriety, who refuses to be anything but earnest!

This masterful comedy of manners, considered to be the wittiest play in the English language, sparkles with classic bon mots and brilliant dialogue that will lift your spirits.

"In matters of grave importance, style, not sincerity is the vital thing." Oscar Wilde

"This is Oscar Wilde’s Victorian rom-com, in which four beautiful young people meet their true loves. Wilde has fashioned us a delightful soufflé of a play, sparkling with elegance, wit and fabulous frocks." - Kate Cherry

View programme online now. Programmes will be available for sale in the theatre foyer for $8.

Reviews

"This Black Swan production of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is the best version of the play your reviewer has ever seen." ArtsHub

"The opening night audience was swept along with Oscar Wilde's most famous story and the cast, especially Jenny Davis (Lady Bracknell) exited stage to enthusiastic bouts of applause." WA Today

"Black Swan's production of 'Earnest' would have made Oscar go Wilde with laughter. The cast totally nailed his witty dialogue. Bravo." Lucy, patron

"Saw 'Earnest' last night and was rapt. A timelessly hilarious piece of writing, played with great confidence and style. Excellent all round, including the set design." Ric, patron

Cast

  • Adriane Daff
  • Jenny Davis
  • Rebecca Davis
  • Stuart Halusz
  • Michael Loney
  • Pete Rowsthorn
  • Scott Sheridan
  • Pauline Whyman

Directed by Kate Cherry

Set Designer
Alicia Clements
Costume Designer
Lynn Ferguson
Lighting Designer
Trent Suidgeest
Sound Designer
Ash Gibson Greig
Movement Coach
Lisa Scott-Murphy
Vocal Coach
Julia Moody
Set Liaison
Lauren Ross
  • Dates

    9 Mar - 28 Mar
  • Venue

    Heath Ledger Theatre
  • Duration

    2hrs 20 mins (incl. interval)
  • Warning

    Smoking of herbal cigarettes onstage
  • Production Partner

    Wesfarmers Arts
  • Associate Partner

    Red Tiki

Ticket Prices

  • Standard

    69.50
  • Concession*

    54.50
  • Preview

    52.50
  • Student^

    29.50
  • Student Rush

    24.50
  • Family (2 Adults & 2 children)

    158.00
  • Groups of 8+

    53.50
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* Concession pricing applies to pensioners, Seniors Card holders, unwaged (one ticket per card holder).
^ Student pricing applies to secondary and full-time tertiary students with photo id (one ticket per card holder).

Season Dates

Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Sun
4 Mar 5 Mar 6 Mar 7 Mar 8 Mar 9 Mar
7:30pm Preview
10 Mar
11 Mar
7:30pm Preview
12 Mar Sold Out
7:30pm Preview
13 Mar
7:30pm Opening
14 Mar
7:30pm
15 Mar
7:30pm Limited seats
16 Mar
2:15pm Price Add On
7:30pm Limited seats
17 Mar
18 Mar 19 Mar
6:30pm
20 Mar
11:00am
7:30pm Pre Show Event
21 Mar
7:30pm Post Show QA
22 Mar
7:30pm Limited seats
23 Mar
2:15pm Audio Assistance
7:30pm
24 Mar
5:00pm
25 Mar 26 Mar
6:30pm
27 Mar
7:30pm Captioned
28 Mar
6:30pm Closing
29 Mar 30 Mar 31 Mar
9 Mar
7:30pm Preview
11 Mar
7:30pm Preview
12 Mar Sold Out
7:30pm Preview
13 Mar
7:30pm Opening
14 Mar
7:30pm
15 Mar
7:30pm Limited seats
16 Mar
2:15pm Price Add On
7:30pm Limited seats
19 Mar
6:30pm
20 Mar
11:00am
7:30pm Pre Show Event
21 Mar
7:30pm Post Show QA
22 Mar
7:30pm Limited seats
23 Mar
2:15pm Audio Assistance
7:30pm
24 Mar
5:00pm
26 Mar
6:30pm
27 Mar
7:30pm Captioned
28 Mar
6:30pm Closing
Captioned icon
Captioned
Post Show Q & A icon
Post Show Q & A
Pre-show Event icon
Rio Tinto Pre-Show Talk 6.45pm
Audio Description Service & Tactile Tour icon
Audio Description Service & Tactile Tour
Special Function icon
Special Function

Videos

Actors

Production Photos

The Importance of Being Earnest High Tea: Book to see The Importance of Being Earnest on Saturday 16 March at 2.15pm and you can also attend a traditional High Tea! Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine on entry with an assortment of gourmet savoury and sweet delights and your choice of fine loose leaf tea or freshly brewed coffee to follow. Indulge with friends and family in a classic afternoon of High Tea and theatre!

When: Saturday 16 March 2013
Time: 1.00pm to 2.00pm
Cost: $39.00 per person (plus cost of theatre ticket)
Bookings: THIS EVENT HAS SOLD OUT

 

Pre-Show Talk: Wed 20 March 6.45pm - Arrive early to hear from members of the creative or management team about the production! [Free event]

Post Show Q&A: Thur 21 March 7.30pm - Stay after the show for the opportunity to speak to available members of the cast and creative team about the production, share your thoughts and ask any questions that you may have! [Free event]

 

Dining Deals

Black Swan has partnered with several dining venues to bring you special deals! Simply present your ticket for a Black Swan performance on that day or night and receive the following:

 

Urbanistar

Urbanistar is offering FREE upgrades on all takeaway coffees ordered and if you dine-in, a coffee and cake for just $7 or a coffee and tart special for just $6! Try their delectable apple and custard cake, pecan pie, lemon tart or chocalate tart! Take up these offers by presenting your theatre ticket at the counter or quoting the code word BLACK SWAN. Not valid with any other offer.

Urbanistar and New Edition Bookshop have fused into one place where you can enjoy an expertly made hot beverage and browse your favourite books! Drop in for some books, fine food and coffee, and enjoy the new alfresco experience on William Street.

(08) 9227 0930 212 William Street, Northbridge
Opening Hours: open Mon to Tues until 8pm, Wed - Sat till 10pm and open Sun 9am–6pm
Distance: 50m or 1 min

 

Aisuru Sushi - Sushi Bar

New Edition Urbanistar logosAisuru Sushi is offering Black Swan patrons 10% off the total bill.  

 

 

 

New Edition Urbanistar logos Aisuru Sushi offers fresh made to order Japanese.

(08) 9328 8578 208 William Street, Northbridge
Opening Hours: Tues to Sat lunch 11.30am-2.30pm, dinner 5pm-10pm
Distance: 100m or 1 min walk


 

Jus Burgers

New Edition Urbanistar logosJus Burgers is offering Black Swan patrons any cheeseburger or chickpea burger for only $10!

 

 

New Edition Urbanistar logos They've been tooted to have "great burgers, fair dinkum about producers and local growers" and have some of the best vego options available. Jus Burgers is trying again at another record to take out the gong for ‘I love food’ awards 2012, winning the last two previous award years. They use only the best local produce they can source, cooked and served by real chefs and new to Jus Burgers is that you can now order online and avoid the queue! Check out their online orders before your visit to the STCWA. Click here to view the menu.

(08) 9227 0668 189-199 William Street, Northbridge
Opening Hours: Mon to Sat 11.30am-10pm, Sun 12pm-9pm
Distance: 50m or 1 mins walk

 

The Brass Monkey

New Edition Urbanistar logos The Brass Monkey is offering Black Swan patrons 15% off all food purchased per person in the GrapeSkin Lounge and Restaurant! For evening performances, this offer is only available before the show. Discount not available on daily specials.

 

New Edition Urbanistar logosThe Brass Monkey offers modern Australian food and pizza in an iconic heritage listed building. Bookings are preferred and can be made by phoning (08) 9227 9596. Click here to view the menus.

(08) 9227 9596 209 William Street, Northbridge
Opening Hours: Sun 11am-10pm, Mon to Tue 11am-12am, Wed to Thurs 11am-1am, Fri to Sat 11am-2am
Distance: 50m or 1 minute walk

 

Bonsai Restaurant & Lounge

New Edition Urbanistar logosThe Bonsai is offering Black Swan patrons 10% off the total bill when you come in for dinner before the show!

Why not indulge in some authentic, gourmet Japanese tapas! The Bonsai is situated on Roe Street just a 2 minute walk from the State Theatre Centre. Bookings are essential and can be made online. Too easy! Click here to view the menu.

(08) 9227 5756 30 Roe Street, Northbridge
Distance: 100m or 2 minute walk

 

PICA Bar & Cafe

PICA Bar and CafePICA Bar & Cafe is offering Black Swan patrons 10% off the total bill (food and drinks included) plus $8 pints of Coopers Pale Ale, Monteiths Crushed Apple Cider, or a glass of any red, white or sparkling wine!

Located in the heart of Perth's Cultural Centre, PICA Bar & Cafe offers an integrated all day breakfast and lunch menu backed up with gourmet coffee, a great selection of wines and arguably Perth's most diverse beer list. Open 7 days a week, it's a great option no matter what mood you're in.

(08) 9228 6310 51 James Street, Northbridge
Distance: 50m or 1 minute walk

 

Black Swan is continuing its successful live broadcast project in 2013 with a third broadcast: The Importance of Being Earnest by Oscar Wilde. It will be broadcast live on 22 March 2013 from the State Theatre Centre of WA in Perth to regional WA audiences over the Westlink network.

The live broadcast of theatre performances is an opportunity for thousands of regional WA citizens who cannot attend Black Swan performances because of distance or financial constraints to share a state-wide ‘live’ experience within their own home or community.

The broadcast will be shown at regional venues, Community Resource Centres, and homes on the Westlink network. The Westlink network is managed by the Department of Regional Development and Lands.

Tickets are $10 to see the live broadcast at participating regional venues. To book your tickets:

Bijou Theatre, Esperance, 9083 1566 or esperanceciviccentre.com

Goldfields Arts Centre, Kalgoorlie, 9088 6900 or goldfieldsartscentre.com.au

New Lyric Theatre, Bunbury, 1300 661 272 or bunburyentertainment.com

Cummins Theatre, Merredin, 9041 3295 or cumminstheatre.com.au

Margaret River Cultural Centre, Margaret River, 9758 7316 or artsmargaretriver.com

Camel Lane Theatre, Carnarvon, 9941 1146 or carnarvonciviccentre.com

Moora Performing Arts Centre, Moora, 9651 0000 or trybooking.com

Moonrise Cinema, Karratha, 9186 8653 or roebourne.wa.gov.au/events

Matt Dann Cultural Centre, Port Hedland, 9158 9368 or mattdann.com

Sun Pictures, Broome, 9192 1077 or broomemovies.com.au

 

Contact your local Community Resource Centre to find out if it is participating in the live broadcast. Visit www.crc.net.au.

The live broadcast will also be shown at the Perth Cultural Centre screen in Northbridge.