OSCAR Wilde’s much loved and exhilarating masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest opens in Southampton on Monday starring David Suchet as lady Bracknell.

Directed by Adrian Noble, the new production will play Mayflower Theatre from June 1-6 June prior to a West End run.

Written shortly before Wilde fell foul of society’s unbending condemnation, the play fizzes with wit as he delights in debunking social pretensions.

Two bachelor friends, upper crust dandy Algernon Moncrieff and the most reliable John Worthing J.P., lead double lives to court the attentions of the desirable Gwendolyn Fairfax and Cecily Cardew.

The gallants must then grapple with the uproarious consequences of their ruse, and with the formidable Lady Bracknell.

David Suchet is one of Britain’s most respected actors on stage, screen and television who was awarded the CBE in 2010.

He is best known for his role as the Belgian detective Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s Poirot and he has recently completed all 74 Poirot TV films which is the whole canon of Agatha Christie’s Poirot stories.

Michele Dotrice who plays Miss Prism is best known for starring opposite Michael Crawford as his long-suffering wife Betty in the much-loved BBC sitcom Some Mothers Do Ave ‘Em.

Richard O’Callaghan who plays Reverend Canon Chasuble has led a versatile career in film, stage and television, but is perhaps best known for lead roles in the classic Carry On films, Carry On Loving and Carry On at Your Convenience.

The other seasoned actors include:Emily Barber ( Gwendolen Fairfax);Michael Benz (John (Jack) Worthing;Philip Cumbus (Algernon Moncrieff) and Imogen Doel (Cecily Cardew).

Tickets for The Importance of Being Earnest, which runs until Saturday, June 6 are on sale from Mayflower Theatre Box Office tel: 02380 711811 or online at mayflower.org.uk. 

For Ovation Restaurant bookings call 02380 711833