Oscariana Presents Afternoon Delights: The Importance Of Being Earnest (1952)

Luxurious Friday afternoon screenings featuring black & white classics and films from the golden age of Hollywood. All tickets include a glass of prosecco and a Skelligs chocolate, which you can pick up at the bar on arrival. Start your weekend with a taste of Hollywood glamour!

This 1952 film version of Oscar Wilde's play The Importance of Being Earnest is a classic British comedy with a sterling cast. Michael Redgrave shines in the lead role of Jack Worthing, Margaret Rutherford plays the bungling Miss Prism, and Dame Edith Evans's outraged delivery of the Lady Bracknell line 'A hang-bag?' has become legendary. The film was directed by Anthony Asquith, who was the son of the former British Prime Minister HH Asquith. His mother Margo was a good friend of Oscar Wilde.

The original play, on which the film is based, premiered in London on February 14, 1895. At this point Wilde was at the height of his fame and success. But then came an astonishingly swift downfall. Exactly one hundred days after the opening night of the play, Oscar Wilde was found guilty of 'gross indecency' and sentenced to two years in prison with hard labour.

Please note this performance will be subtitled