The Importance of Being Earnest (in 30 minutes) eScriptAvailable

The Importance of Being Earnest (in 30 minutes) A Trivial Comedy for Serious People adapted by Jason Pizzarello

(13)
Productions (102)
Comedy
|
30 - 40 minutes
3 W, 2 M, 2 Any (7 actors possible: 3-5 W, 2-4 M)
Set: A garden.

In this one-act adaptation of Oscar Wilde's beloved romantic comedy, the stakes are even higher and the deadlines even tighter for poor Jack Worthing, whose alter ego "Ernest" comes back to haunt him in the form of his rakish friend Algernon Montcrieff, who adopts the false identity to woo Jack's ward Cecily. But Jack-as-Ernest has just proposed to Algernon's cousin Gwendolen, to the great disapproval of her mother, the rigid Lady Bracknell. When the two ladies -- both engaged to Ernest Worthing -- meet up, chaos ensues. All the wit of Wilde in less than half the time.

Read For FREE Add Script(s) To Cart Apply For Rights Add To Wish List

Pricing Information

Min. Performance Fee* $55
Standard Edition $11.99
eScript Digital Edition $17.5
Stage Manager Edition $24.99
Archival Video License $75

*The per performance fee begins at $55. Your per performance fee will be provided during the ordering process.

eScript Digital editions when purchased as a retail item cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer, or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.). It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices. When an escript is purchased as part of a license, please email [email protected] to receive your printable PDF.


Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

Media Gallery

Play Details

In this one-act adaptation of Oscar Wilde's beloved romantic comedy, the stakes are even higher and the deadlines even tighter for poor Jack Worthing, whose alter ego "Ernest" comes back to haunt him in the form of his rakish friend Algernon Montcrieff, who adopts the false identity to woo Jack's ward Cecily. But Jack-as-Ernest has just proposed to Algernon's cousin Gwendolen, to the great disapproval of her mother, the rigid Lady Bracknell. When the two ladies -- both engaged to Ernest Worthing -- meet up, chaos ensues. All the wit of Wilde in less than half the time.

  • Comedy
  • |
  • 30 - 40 minutes
  • 3 W, 2 M, 2 Any (7 actors possible: 3-5 W, 2-4 M)
  • Set: A garden.
  • Standard Edition ISBN: 978-1-62384-375-5

Production History

APR 24, 2025 - APR 25, 2025
El Dorado High School
El Dorado, AR United States
 El Dorado High School El Dorado, AR United States
MAR 01, 2025 - MAR 08, 2025
Kirksville High School
Kirksville, MO United States
 Kirksville High School Kirksville, MO United States
JAN 24, 2025 - JAN 31, 2025
Helena High School Theatre
HELENA, MT United States
 Helena High School Theatre HELENA, MT United States
DEC 07, 2024 - DEC 07, 2024
EDHS Theatre
Montclair, CA United States
 EDHS Theatre Montclair, CA United States
NOV 23, 2024 - DEC 12, 2024
Hastings Catholic Schools
Hastings, NE United States
 Hastings Catholic Schools Hastings, NE United States
NOV 20, 2024 - NOV 29, 2024
Port Moody Secondary School
Port Moody, BC Canada
 Port Moody Secondary School Port Moody, BC Canada
OCT 24, 2024 - NOV 09, 2024
Shelby High School
Shelby, NC United States
 Shelby High School Shelby, NC United States
OCT 19, 2024 - NOV 12, 2024
Midland Christian School
North Richland Hills, TX United States
 Midland Christian School North Richland Hills, TX United States
OCT 01, 2024 - NOV 01, 2024
Bristow Drama Department
Bristow, OK United States
 Bristow Drama Department Bristow, OK United States
SEP 21, 2024 - SEP 21, 2024
Wichita Heights High School
Wichita, KS United States
 Wichita Heights High School Wichita, KS United States
MAY 15, 2024 - MAY 16, 2024
FNESU Theater
Richford, VT United States
 FNESU Theater Richford, VT United States
APR 25, 2024 - APR 26, 2024
Salina Central High School
Salina, KS United States
 Salina Central High School Salina, KS United States
MAR 14, 2024 - APR 18, 2024
Saint Joseph Catholic High School
Ogden, UT United States
 Saint Joseph Catholic High School Ogden, UT United States
JAN 20, 2024 - JAN 20, 2024
Mission College Prep High School
Arroyo Grande, CA United States
 Mission College Prep High School Arroyo Grande, CA United States
JAN 19, 2024 - FEB 10, 2024
Ocean Lakes High School
Virginia Beach, VA United States
 Ocean Lakes High School Virginia Beach, VA United States
JAN 11, 2024 - JAN 13, 2024
Holy Family Catholic High School
Victoria, MN United States
 Holy Family Catholic High School Victoria, MN United States
DEC 11, 2023 - DEC 11, 2023
Concordia University Ann Arbor Theatre Department
Ann Arbor, MI United States
 Concordia University Ann Arbor Theatre Department Ann Arbor, MI United States
NOV 17, 2023 - NOV 18, 2023
Mulberry Pleasant View Schools
Mulberry, AR United States
 Mulberry Pleasant View Schools Mulberry, AR United States
NOV 03, 2023 - NOV 04, 2023
Lutheran High School
Parker, CO United States
 Lutheran High School Parker, CO United States
OCT 20, 2023 - OCT 21, 2023
John Stark Regional High School
Weare, NH United States
 John Stark Regional High School Weare, NH United States
OCT 12, 2023 - OCT 14, 2023
Trinity Christian School
Sharpsburg, GA United States
 Trinity Christian School Sharpsburg, GA United States
OCT 10, 2023 - NOV 10, 2023
Sherwood Christian Academy
Albany, GA United States
 Sherwood Christian Academy Albany, GA United States
OCT 02, 2023 - OCT 02, 2023
ORiGiN Theatrical (Illawarra Christian School)
Cordeaux Heights, NSW Australia
 ORiGiN Theatrical (Illawarra Christian School) Cordeaux Heights, NSW Australia
SEP 07, 2023 - SEP 19, 2023
Chula Vista High School
Chula Vista, CA United States
 Chula Vista High School Chula Vista, CA United States
AUG 18, 2023 - AUG 18, 2023
Curro Langebaan
Durbanville, South Africa
 Curro Langebaan Durbanville, South Africa
MAY 25, 2023 - MAY 26, 2023
ORiGiN Theatrical (Cornish College)
Bangholme, VIC Australia
 ORiGiN Theatrical (Cornish College) Bangholme, VIC Australia
APR 14, 2023 - APR 15, 2023
Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School
Wittenberg, WI United States
 Wittenberg-Birnamwood High School Wittenberg, WI United States
APR 14, 2023 - APR 14, 2023
The Founders Academy Drama Club
Manchester, NH United States
 The Founders Academy Drama Club Manchester, NH United States
MAR 11, 2023 - MAR 11, 2023
The Founders Academy Drama Club
Manchester, NH United States
 The Founders Academy Drama Club Manchester, NH United States
JAN 12, 2023 - JAN 12, 2023
Walkertown High School
Walkertown,, NC United States
 Walkertown High School Walkertown,, NC United States
NOV 15, 2022 - NOV 15, 2022
Bancroft's School
Woodford Green, United Kingdom
 Bancroft's School Woodford Green, United Kingdom
NOV 05, 2022 - DEC 05, 2022
Murphy High School
Mobile, AL United States
 Murphy High School Mobile, AL United States
JUL 29, 2022 - JUL 29, 2022
Thomas Aquinas College High School Summer Program
Northfield,, MA United States
 Thomas Aquinas College High School Summer Program Northfield,, MA United States
MAY 10, 2022 - MAY 10, 2022
Iowa Park Theatre
Iowa Park, TX United States
 Iowa Park Theatre Iowa Park, TX United States
APR 29, 2022 - APR 30, 2022
North Clackamas School District
Milwuakie, OR United States
 North Clackamas School District Milwuakie, OR United States
APR 08, 2022 - APR 10, 2022
Moody Bible Institute
Chicago, IL United States
 Moody Bible Institute Chicago, IL United States
MAR 17, 2022 - MAR 18, 2022
Pierz ISD 484
Pierz, MN United States
 Pierz ISD 484 Pierz, MN United States
MAR 04, 2022 - MAR 04, 2022
Kirksville High School
Kirksville, MO United States
 Kirksville High School Kirksville, MO United States
FEB 10, 2022 - FEB 12, 2022
Noble High School Theater Department
North Berwick, ME United States
 Noble High School Theater Department North Berwick, ME United States
DEC 01, 2021 - DEC 04, 2021
Wasatch High School
Heber City, UT United States
 Wasatch High School Heber City, UT United States
NOV 06, 2021 - DEC 05, 2021
Murphy High School
Mobile, AL United States
 Murphy High School Mobile, AL United States
MAY 13, 2021 - MAY 14, 2021
Galena Interior Learning Academy
Galena, AK United States
 Galena Interior Learning Academy Galena, AK United States
MAY 04, 2021 - MAY 04, 2021
Gulliver Preparatory Theatre Arts Dept.
Miami, FL United States
 Gulliver Preparatory Theatre Arts Dept. Miami, FL United States
APR 20, 2021 - APR 20, 2021
St. Clair High School
St Clair, MO United States
 St. Clair High School St Clair, MO United States
JAN 23, 2021 - JAN 28, 2021
Valley Lutheran
Cedar Falls, IA United States
 Valley Lutheran Cedar Falls, IA United States
MAR 24, 2020 - MAR 24, 2020
APPLE SPRINGS ISD
Carthage, TX United States
 APPLE SPRINGS ISD Carthage, TX United States
FEB 29, 2020 - FEB 29, 2020
Beverly High School
TBD, MA United States
 Beverly High School TBD, MA United States
FEB 06, 2020 - FEB 06, 2020
Mill Valley High School
Shawnee, KS United States
 Mill Valley High School Shawnee, KS United States
FEB 05, 2020 - FEB 05, 2020
Mill Valley High School
Shawnee, KS United States
 Mill Valley High School Shawnee, KS United States
JAN 22, 2020 - JAN 22, 2020
Hazelwood West High School
HAZELWOOD, MO United States
 Hazelwood West High School HAZELWOOD, MO United States
DEC 06, 2019 - DEC 06, 2019
Mary Seat of Wisdom
STEUBENVILLE, OH United States
 Mary Seat of Wisdom STEUBENVILLE, OH United States
NOV 30, 2019 - NOV 30, 2019
Watts Hall Community Players
Tenants Harbor, ME United States
 Watts Hall Community Players Tenants Harbor, ME United States
SEP 12, 2019 - OCT 25, 2019
International School of Uganda
Kampala, Uganda
 International School of Uganda Kampala, Uganda
MAY 03, 2019 - MAY 03, 2019
Boreal Sun Charter School
Fairbanks, AK United States
 Boreal Sun Charter School Fairbanks, AK United States
APR 25, 2019 - APR 27, 2019
Letourneau University
LONGVIEW, TX United States
 Letourneau University LONGVIEW, TX United States
JAN 26, 2019 - JAN 26, 2019
Chelsea High School
Boston, MA United States
 Chelsea High School Boston, MA United States
JAN 20, 2019 - JAN 20, 2019
Grace Christian High School
Staunton, VA United States
 Grace Christian High School Staunton, VA United States
JAN 10, 2019 - JAN 10, 2019
Gilbert High School
Anderson, SC United States
 Gilbert High School Anderson, SC United States
JAN 01, 2019 - FEB 01, 2019
Molalla High School
Molalla, OR United States
 Molalla High School Molalla, OR United States
DEC 02, 2018 - DEC 03, 2018
Loreto Normanhurst
Normanhurst, NSW Australia
 Loreto Normanhurst Normanhurst, NSW Australia
DEC 01, 2018 - DEC 01, 2018
Riverton High School
Rock Springs, WY United States
 Riverton High School Rock Springs, WY United States
JUN 14, 2018 - JUN 15, 2018
EDGE Of Orion
Hoffman Estates, IL United States
 EDGE Of Orion Hoffman Estates, IL United States
APR 20, 2018 - APR 20, 2018
Summit Christian Academy
Livingston, MT United States
 Summit Christian Academy Livingston, MT United States
APR 12, 2018 - APR 13, 2018
Jimmy C Draughn High School
Valdese, NC United States
 Jimmy C Draughn High School Valdese, NC United States
MAR 22, 2018 - MAR 22, 2018
MSA West
Plaquemine, LA United States
 MSA West Plaquemine, LA United States
FEB 28, 2018 - FEB 28, 2018
Basha High School
Chandler, AZ United States
 Basha High School Chandler, AZ United States
FEB 16, 2018 - FEB 16, 2018
Aberdeen High School Marquee Drama Club
Bel Air, MD United States
 Aberdeen High School Marquee Drama Club Bel Air, MD United States
JAN 26, 2018 - JAN 26, 2018
Richard Montgomery One Acts
Rockville, MD United States
 Richard Montgomery One Acts Rockville, MD United States
JAN 26, 2018 - FEB 03, 2018
Portage Northern
Portage, MI United States
 Portage Northern Portage, MI United States
JAN 18, 2018 - JAN 27, 2018
Jordan High School
Jordan, MN United States
 Jordan High School Jordan, MN United States
NOV 01, 2017 - DEC 15, 2017
Saint Cloud Middle School Theatre
St. Cloud, FL United States
 Saint Cloud Middle School Theatre St. Cloud, FL United States
OCT 20, 2017 - OCT 20, 2017
Baldwin School Of Puerto Rico
Bayamon, PR United States
 Baldwin School Of Puerto Rico Bayamon, PR United States
OCT 01, 2017 - NOV 03, 2017
Cibola High School
Albuquerque, NM United States
 Cibola High School Albuquerque, NM United States
APR 26, 2017 - APR 29, 2017
American Community School Of Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
 American Community School Of Abu Dhabi Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
MAR 10, 2017 - MAR 24, 2017
MSAD 1: Presque Isle High School
Fairfield, ME United States
 MSAD 1: Presque Isle High School Fairfield, ME United States
FEB 28, 2017 - MAR 01, 2017
Singapore American School
Singapore, Singapore
 Singapore American School Singapore, Singapore
JAN 27, 2017 - JAN 29, 2017
Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton School District
Glyndon, MN United States
 Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton School District Glyndon, MN United States
JAN 26, 2017 - JAN 28, 2017
Thomas Edison High School
Alexandria, VA United States
 Thomas Edison High School Alexandria, VA United States
JAN 06, 2017 - JAN 07, 2017
The Harker School
San Jose, CA United States
 The Harker School San Jose, CA United States
DEC 07, 2016 - DEC 07, 2016
Verona Area Middle Schools
Verona, WI United States
 Verona Area Middle Schools Verona, WI United States
DEC 05, 2016 - DEC 05, 2016
Wylie isd
Abilene, TX United States
 Wylie isd Abilene, TX United States
OCT 28, 2016 - OCT 29, 2016
Faith West Academy
Katy, TX United States
 Faith West Academy Katy, TX United States
JUL 30, 2016 - JUL 31, 2016
Mulvane Wildacts Community Theater
Mulvane, KS United States
 Mulvane Wildacts Community Theater Mulvane, KS United States
JUL 20, 2016 - JUL 20, 2016
Camp Eagle Wing
Whiting, ME United States
 Camp Eagle Wing Whiting, ME United States
MAY 20, 2016 - MAY 20, 2016
Calvary Christian Academy
Philadelphia, PA United States
 Calvary Christian Academy Philadelphia, PA United States
MAY 18, 2016 - MAY 18, 2016
Beverly High School
Beverly, MA United States
 Beverly High School Beverly, MA United States
MAY 07, 2016 - MAY 07, 2016
EPIC
Cincinnati, OH United States
 EPIC Cincinnati, OH United States
APR 20, 2016 - JUN 20, 2016
Memorial Composite High School
Westlock, AB Canada
 Memorial Composite High School Westlock, AB Canada
MAR 04, 2016 - MAR 05, 2016
Calvary Lutheran High School
Jefferson City, MO United States
 Calvary Lutheran High School Jefferson City, MO United States
JAN 26, 2016 - JAN 29, 2016
De Smet High School
De Smet, SD United States
 De Smet High School De Smet, SD United States
JAN 23, 2016 - FEB 06, 2016
Keokuk Community School District
Wapello, IA United States
 Keokuk Community School District Wapello, IA United States
JAN 23, 2016 - FEB 12, 2016
Eveleth-Gilbert HS Drama Guild
Eveleth, MN United States
 Eveleth-Gilbert HS Drama Guild Eveleth, MN United States
JAN 13, 2016 - JAN 15, 2016
St. Francis Xavier Secondary
Mississauga, ON Canada
 St. Francis Xavier Secondary Mississauga, ON Canada
NOV 20, 2015 - NOV 21, 2015
Dundalk High School
Baltimore, MD United States
 Dundalk High School Baltimore, MD United States
NOV 19, 2015 - NOV 20, 2015
DeLand High School
Deland, FL United States
 DeLand High School Deland, FL United States
OCT 29, 2015 - OCT 30, 2015
Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School
Virginia Beach, VA United States
 Bishop Sullivan Catholic High School Virginia Beach, VA United States
OCT 15, 2015 - OCT 22, 2015
Adairsville High School
Adairsville, GA United States
 Adairsville High School Adairsville, GA United States
APR 28, 2015 - MAY 01, 2015
Mill Valley High School
Shawnee, KS United States
 Mill Valley High School Shawnee, KS United States
FEB 28, 2015 - FEB 28, 2015
York Comprehensive High School
York, SC United States
 York Comprehensive High School York, SC United States
NOV 21, 2014 - NOV 22, 2014
Illinois State University
Normal, IL United States
 Illinois State University Normal, IL United States
NOV 15, 2014 - NOV 15, 2014
Moorhead Jr. High
Conroe, TX United States
 Moorhead Jr. High Conroe, TX United States
NOV 07, 2014 - NOV 12, 2014
New Salem - Almont High School
New Salem, ND United States
 New Salem - Almont High School New Salem, ND United States
APR 24, 2025 - APR 25, 2025
El Dorado High School
El Dorado, AR United States
 El Dorado High School El Dorado, AR United States
MAR 01, 2025 - MAR 08, 2025
Kirksville High School
Kirksville, MO United States
 Kirksville High School Kirksville, MO United States
JAN 24, 2025 - JAN 31, 2025
Helena High School Theatre
HELENA, MT United States
 Helena High School Theatre HELENA, MT United States
DEC 07, 2024 - DEC 07, 2024
EDHS Theatre
Montclair, CA United States
 EDHS Theatre Montclair, CA United States
NOV 23, 2024 - DEC 12, 2024
Hastings Catholic Schools
Hastings, NE United States
 Hastings Catholic Schools Hastings, NE United States
No professional productions.

Archival Video License

Playscripts is pleased to offer an Archival Video License to add to your order for an additional $150 for full-length plays and $75 for one-act plays.

This allows you to record one of your live performances for your internal archives only. This cannot be streamed.

For more information, please reach out to [email protected]

eScript Details

eScript Digital Editions cannot be printed or downloaded. They are for reading on personal computer or tablet devices (phones, iPads, Kobo, Sony, etc.) It can viewed on up to 5 individual devices.

You do not need to download any additional program to view your eScript. They will become available in your account on Playscripts.com after payment has been made. For more information on eScripts, please visit our Help page.

Similar Plays / Customers Also Purchased

Alice in Wonderland

adapted by Jason Pizzarello

In Case of Fish

by Jason Pizzarello

All I Really Need to Know I Learned From Being a Zombie

by Jason Pizzarello

The Things She Held

by Martha Epstein

Post-its® (Notes on a Marriage)

by Paul Dooley

Please Have a Seat and Someone Will Be With You Shortly

by Garth Wingfield

Angels of Bataan (one-act)

by Tracy Wells

Shattered

by Molly Horan

The Identity Project

by Brent Holland

Frankenstein (one-act)

adapted by Michael Bigelow Dixon

Bethel Park Falls

by Jason Pizzarello

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Fifth Period

by Jason Pizzarello

The Continuum Tales

by Jason Pizzarello

Last-Minute Adjustments

by Rich Orloff

Antigone Now

by Melissa Cooper

Employees Must Wash Hands... Before Murder

by Don Zolidis