Classic Radio Theatre: The Importance of Being Earnest

Martin Clunes and Michael Sheen star in this full-cast production of Oscar Wilde’s well-known comedy.
Oscar Wilde’s dazzling comedy about mistaken identities and secret engagements still delights audiences over a century after its first performance in 1895.

Algernon Moncrieff, a bachelor-about-town, has invented an invalid friend called Bunbury in order to get out of tiresome family engagements. At the same time, his friend Jack Worthing has invented a wicked brother called Ernest to disguise his own misdemeanours. When Algernon poses as Ernest to win the heart of Cecily Cardew, confusion reigns, and it takes the discovery of an old black handbag to reveal the truth...

This star-studded BBC Radio production features Martin Clunes as Algernon, Michael Hordern as Lane, Michael Sheen as Jack, Judi Dench as Lady Bracknell, Samantha Bond as Gwendolen, Miriam Margolyes as Miss Prism, and Amanda Root as Cecily.

The Classic Radio Theatre range presents notable radio productions of much-loved plays by some of the most renowned playwrights, and starring some of our finest actors.