The Importance of Being Earnest
This timeless tale of identity, opulence and sharp-tongued wit follows the lives of the rich and ridiculous, all looking for something to do, someone to love and somewhere to belong.
Bringing any of Oscar Wilde’s plays to the Royal Exchange in 2024 is a privilege. He is a writer who constantly balances empathy with satire, reminding us how ridiculous we are, while also understanding our need to feel profound. I also think his plays are finding relevance at the moment. Wilde’s society of 1893 is disturbingly similar to our own in 2023.
However, what’s particularly exciting about bringing Earnest into the Royal Exchange is how well this modern space suits this classic play – a uniquely social, free and dynamic theatre for a timeless comedy of profound triviality. Josh Roche, Director
Creative Team
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Josh Roche
Director
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Eleanor Bull
Set & Costume Design
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Sundeep Saini
Movement Director
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Johanna Town
Lighting Designer
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Sam Glossop
Sound Designer
Production Photos
Press
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“Roche’s production embraces its frivolously funny side, amping up the comic misunderstandings and physical comedy”
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“new perspective breathes fresh life into a familiar classic”
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“The pace never falters, never stopping for breath, Jack rushes around the Exchange’s outer circle in search of the famous handbag and the stage becomes a maze.”
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“fun moments of slapstick including a food fight, it’s updated seamlessly to the present day”
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“Surprise physical comedy - a food fight between Jack and Algernon spills off the stage”
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“With clever staging around the most pivotal moments”
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“creative team have elevated an already fantastic play to another level to create this terrific piece of theatre.”
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“Slick production is a delight”
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“the comedy timing in both lines delivered and physical movement, had the audience laughing with rarely a moment’s silence.”
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“energetic and explosive finale which sees cast members using the full space of the Royal Exchange Theatre to great effect”
Rehearsal Photos
About Sunny
Sundeep Saini is a movement director and choreographer passionate about driving narrative through physicality. She has worked with; children from 3 years old up to adults, community ensembles and professional companies, actor-musicians, classical actors and musical theatre performers, people with and without disabilities and strives to push them all to reach their full potential in both technique and performance.
She is a creative with a keen focus on embedding a movement vocabulary into a piece and strives to build character, narrative, musicality and production style whilst pushing the boundaries of choreography and movement.