Reading Schedule for Plays

[Cindy, Moderator]

Welcome, Victorians, to the witty world of Oscar Wilde! We will be tackling (and enjoying) his often biting humor in three different plays: Lady Windermere's Fan, A Woman of No Importance, and the jewel in his crown, The Importance of Being Earnest.

Here are links to free ebook copies from Project Gutenberg:
Lady Windermere's Fan
A Woman of No Importance
The Importance of Being Earnest

We will read each play in two weeks, and first up will be

Lady Windermere's Fan:

May 30 - June 5 -- Acts I & II
June 6 - June 12 -- Acts III & IV

A Woman of No Importance:

June 13 - June 19 -- Acts I & II
June 20 - June 26 -- Acts III & IV

The Importance of Being Earnest (There are only three acts, and since the acts are not divided into scenes, I have decided not to break them up):

June 27 - July 3 -- Act I
July 4 - July 10 -- Act II & III

[Michaela]

I wondered that we were still reading those in October, but obviously these are American dates. ;)

[Piyangie, Moderator]

I'll join in for the last two plays. I've read Lady Windermere's Fan last year, so will skip that.

[Rosemarie]

I've read all three, and enjoyed all three. They are all so much fun.
A Woman of No Importance was a pleasant surprise. I'd seen play versions of the other two, but that one was new to me. I think it's great!

[Cindy, Moderator]

Michaela wrote: "I wondered that we were still reading those in October, but obviously these are American dates. ;)"

Sorry! I wasn't thinking globally! ;) It's all fixed now.

[Cindy, Moderator]

Piyangie wrote: "I'll join in for the last two plays. I've read Lady Windermere's Fan last year, so will skip that."

So glad you're joining in! It will be a nice, lighthearted start to the summer.

[Renee, Moderator]

I saw A Woman of No Importance performed in Philadelphia in February 2020. It was a wonderful treat. Reading it with the group will be a return trip to a charming memory for me.

I’ve also seen Earnest in the stage, many years ago through a more local theater troupe. But never Windermere. Wilde is so clever that reading is every bit as delightful as seeing... only without the pretty costumes, of course. :)

[Piyangie, Moderator]

Has anyone watched the movie version of Importance of Being Earnest?

[Rosemarie]

I watched the movie when it first appeared in the theatres-and really enjoyed it.

[Michaela]

I liked that too. :)

[Piyangie, Moderator]

It was really good. I'll be watching it again after rereading it with the group. Don't want to spoil the read before. :)

[Cindy, Moderator]

I saw it years ago and loved it! Of course, anything with Mr. Darcy and Rupert Everett--not to mention the Dame!--is awesome. I could only find clips to that on YouTube, but I found another older, full-length version, if anyone is interested in watching it for free!

The Importance of Being Earnest 1988

[Cindy, Moderator]

Here are YouTube recordings of the Classic Spring Theatre Company's productions of Lady Windermere's Fan and A Woman of No Importance performed at the Vaudeville Theatre in London's West End.

Lady Windermere's Fan

A Woman of No Importance

An opportunity to watch them performed in the proper milieu!

[Michaela]

Great links Cindy, thanks! :)

[Gregory]

Don't neglect the Classic 1952 British film version of "Earnest":

https://smile.amazon.com/Importance-B...

[Marie]

I'm new to this group but I am excited to join for these plays. I love Wilde's wit!

[Rosemarie]

Welcome, Marie! I feel the same way about Wilde.

[Janice]

Thank you, Cindy, for these links. :) I look forward to watching them after I've read the plays. :)

[ConnieD]

I'm going to listen to these on Librivox. Different volunteers read the different parts.

[Ginny]

Cindy wrote: "Here are YouTube recordings of the Classic Spring Theatre Company's productions of Lady Windermere's Fan and A Woman of No Importance performed at the Vaudeville Theatre in London's West End...."

Thanks so much for these. I just watched Acts I and II of Lady Windermere's Fan. It takes Jennifer Saunders to bring the comedy in the play to life. Especially in Act I.