An Evening of Wit, Wonder and World-Class Theatre Reviewed by Kim Kaitell Few plays have achieved the enduring legacy of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest, and after seeing this Stratford Festival production at the Avon Theatre, it is easy to understand why. It was an honour and a privilege to review a work that has become such a cornerstone of theatrical history. More than a century after it premiered, Wilde’s razor-sharp wit and observations about human nature remain remarkably relevant. Society may have changed its fashions, technologies, and social conventions, but our vanities, ambitions, pretenses, and foibles remain very much the same. What makes The Importance of Being Earnest so enduring is Wilde’s ability to poke fun at the absurdities of human behavior while still maintaining an affection for his characters. The humour feels timeless. The audience responded with laughter throughout the performance, recognizing the same contradictions and social games that continue to play our in modern life. It is a testament to Wilde’s brilliance that dialogue written in 1885 still feels completely relatable today. Two young men, Jack and Algernon, are on the lookout for suitable mates. Jack likes to leave his country home and spend time in the city, so he has invented a brother Earnest who is living in the fast lane and needs to be brought in line. Algernon has also invented a fake friend who is ailing and must be visited so he can travel to the country. They both take the name Earnest and unfortunately both young women, that they choose to woo, love the name Earnest, making it impossible for them to revert back to their real names.  Of course, the deception results in many problems for Jack and Algernon, creating the comedy. This production represents world-class theatre at its finest. ...