Play reading: 8pm, Tues 11 Mar 2025
Auditions: 7.30pm, Tues 25 Mar 2025 or 2pm, Sun 30 Mar 2025
Production dates: 3 – 12 July 2025
Also known as A Trivial Comedy for Serious People, Oscar Wilde’s classic satire of the upper classes portrays two young men, Jack and Algernon, who are keen to avoid their social obligations. Clearly, the easiest way to get out of anything is to pretend that your name is Ernest. Thus chaos, comedy and confusion ensues as both young men develop their own love interests, try to thwart each other and seek to avoid domination by the indomitable Lady Bracknell.
Fans of handbags, cucumber sandwiches, relations, carelessness, proposals, christenings, railway stations (especially the Brighton line) and governesses with secrets cannot fail to be entertained by Wilde’s witticisms and exaggerated characters.
Written in 1895, his play of conformity and resistance, duty and pleasure reminds us all that whilst to be earnest is a virtue, there is so much fun to be had in bending the rules.
Characters
John ‘Jack’ Worthing – 30s
Algernon Moncrieff – 30s
Gwendolen Fairfax – 20s
Lady Bracknell – 55+
Cecily Pardew – 20s
Rev. Canon Chasuble – 55+
Miss Prism – 50+
Lane – 30s/40s
Audition notice available to download soon.
The play reading evening is a social evening to learn more about the play and to meet the director and other members of the Miller Theatre Company. This is held in the Studio.
Auditions are held on a Tuesday evening and a Sunday afternoon in the theatre a few weeks later. You only need to attend one of these audition days. The director and members of the production team will be on hand to welcome you and answer any questions you may have.
The Audition Notice contains a synopsis of the play, a description of the characters and relevant dates and contact details. It also contains a list of audition pieces so that any potential cast members can prepare for their audition.
The Studio is located behind the main theatre. Entry to the theatre for the auditions is via the Stage Door at the back of the theatre. Access to the Studio and Stage Door is via the side gate on the right of the theatre (click here for map).