CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST

Today, Curve Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster announces the cast for his production of The Importance of Being Earnest. BAFTA and Golden Globe-nominated actress Cathy Tyson will star as the iconic Lady Bracknell in Foster’s stylish reimagining of Wilde’s much-loved comedy. Cathy is best known for her role in the multi-award winning film Mona Lisa, classic ITV drama series Band of Gold and her stage work with The RSC and Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse.

Foster also directs Darren Bennett as Lane & Merriman, Angela Clerkin as Miss Prism, Edward Franklin as Algernon Moncrief, Dominic Gately as Dr Chasuble, Fela Lufadeju as Jack Worthing, Sharan Phull as Cecily Cardew. The Importance of Being Earnest will open at Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 9-14 September before completing its run at Curve from 11-29 October.

Bachelor Jack Worthing and his best mate Algernon Moncrieff hope to marry society’s most eligible ladies, Gwendolen Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. But the lads’ courtship of the women is far from straight forward. With double identities, handbag mishaps and hostile encounters with the formidable Lady Bracknell, the pair become embroiled in a web of mistaken identities with hilarious consequences.
Regarded as one of the finest comedies in the English language, Wilde’s play explodes with his trademark razor-sharp wit and uncovers the hypocrisies of a society where what is seen on the outside is very different to the truth that lies beneath.

Join Jack and Algernon for this stylish new production and follow our charming pair as they discover “the vital importance of being earnest”.

Nikolai Foster and Curve Chief Executive Chris Stafford said today, “With our friends at the Rep, we are all excited to be working on Wilde’s mighty play and to be sharing one of the greatest comedies in the English language with audiences in Leicester and Birmingham. As well as being richly entertaining, the play holds up a dazzling mirror to society and asks important questions of our times. The wealth of acting talent in our country never fails to astonish and we are delighted Cathy Tyson is Lady Bracknell, leading an exceptional company. Our Cecily, Sharan Phull, was a member of our Curve Community Company, so we are really proud to welcome Sharan back to Curve.”

The Designer is Isla Shaw (Ishy Din’s Wipers and The Witches). Curve Associate Artist Dougal Irvine is the Composer. The Lighting Designer is Ben Cracknell and the Sound Designer is Birmingham Repertory Theatre’s Dan Hoole.

Casting for the role of Gwendolen is to follow.