We should treat all trivial things in life very seriously, and all serious things of life with a sincere and studied triviality. - Oscar Wilde

First performed in 1895, The Importance of Being Earnest is a play in three acts full of mix-ups, unexpected plot twists, mistaken identities and extraordinary quickfire wit.

Cecily Cardew and Gwendolen Fairfax both fall in love with a man called Ernest who doesn't exist. That's because he's the invention of Jack Worthing, who needed a black-sheep of a brother to blame his bad behaviour on. Things become complicated when Jack falls in love with Gwendolen, his friend Algernon falls for Cecily and nobody knows who anybody else is any more as the plot heads for disaster.

This is Wilde's most popular play and its unforgettable characters, including the redoubtable Lady Bracknell, still cut the mustard today as Wilde's wit and wordplay raise low English farce to brilliant heights.

Also includes:

• An Ideal Husband

• Lady Windermere's Fan

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Arcturus Classics series brings together high-quality paperback editions of classics works, presented with contemporary graphic cover designs. Together they make a wonderful collection which is perfect for any home library.