The Importance of Being Earnest

The Importance of Being Earnest that was done at the Texas State Theater was definitely not for everyone. Unfortunately, I didn’t understand much of the humor, rarely laughing when the majority of the audience did. It was a little confusing, but I came to the conclusion that women in the 1800’s were extremely clueless. The fact that the two leading ladies, Gwendolen and Cecily were mainly in love with their significant other because their names were Earnest seemed silly to me. When the two Earnest’s whose real names were Jack and Algernon asked their fiancée’s if they would still love them if their names were Jack or Algernon the two shuddered in disgust. Cecily, for instance, had never met Earnest and was practically in love with someone she had made up in her mind, writing letters to herself but signing them with the name “Earnest.” She even made up an engagement with Earnest, who she had never met. It was important to the two women that their husband’s names be Earnest because they explained how it would be nice to be married to a man with that name. It seemed like the name “Earnest” was held in high regard, and it got to the point where the two men were going to be re-christened “Earnest.” I understand that people will do anything for love, but if someone only likes you because of your name then I think it’s time to move on. It was like their fake name decided how successful they were. I’m sorry to say it, but I didn’t enjoy it too much. The actors were wonderful, but these types of plays don’t translate to people in the same way. I love going to the theater, but only to Broadway musicals, they seem to keep me more entertained.