Twenty Club choose stylish comedy for their latest production

* Twenty Club cast members in rehearsal for The Importance of Being Earnest.

Llangollen Twenty Club are gearing up for their next production at Llangollen Town Hall - Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest.

Described as a "trivial comedy for serious people," it was first performed on February 14th 1895 and tells the tale of two young men-about-town.

They lead double lives in order to avoid certain social gatherings, both taking the false name Ernest, whilst trying to catch their respective young ladies. 

The play was a great success for Wilde but also was the start of his downfall, legal trials and subsequent imprisonment. Following his release in 1897 he published the play from exile in Paris but, unfortunately and very sadly, never wrote another comedic or dramatic play. 

There are nine actors in the Twenty Club production - the two friends Jack Worthing (Mat Oswald-Haggett) and Algernon Moncrieff (Tom Cutler), Lady Bracknell (Emily Swindley), her daughter the Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax (Darcy Badwick), Jack's ward Cecily Cardew (Jessica Fidler), Cecily's governess Miss Prism (Hilary Woodward), butler to Algernon, Lane (Chris Williams), butler to Jack, Merriman (Mike Connolly) and the rector, the Rev Canon Chasuble (Malcolm Graham). 

Tom, Darcy and Malcolm have performed many times on stage, but this will be their Twenty Club debut. 

Directed by Ian Wright, assisted by Lizzie Clifford and co-produced by Bev Maier, Helen Belton and Elaine Wright, the play promises to contain the usual intricacies of a Twenty Club enterprise. 

Producer Helen Belton said: "The set is coming along beautifully and will gradually build to a Manor House in the country and a flat in Victorian London, not to mention a delightful country garden for the end of Act 1. The attention to detail by Steve Hughes and his set and props team always impresses audiences. 

"Businesses are most welcome to sponsor a performance with five already gratefully secured. Please contact me via the Twenty Club if you are interested. For a reasonable price, sponsors receive four tickets, four drinks, two programmes, VIP seats, a dedicated hostess and a chance to advertise in the foyer. 

"The raffle has some fantastic prizes already, with all proceeds going to the charities to be named each night." 

The Importance of Being Earnest is showing from Thursday to Saturday, March 27- 29 at 7.30pm with the Saturday matinee at 2.30pm. 

* Tickets, priced £14 and £12 concessions, are available from Cwtch, Courtyard Bookshop and Llangollen Oggie Shop in the town centre as well as online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/llangollentwentyclub