From a writer who famously had ‘nothing to declare but his genius,’ we are pleased to bring you one of our latest additions to the EHd range. The Importance of Being Earnest is considered to be Wilde’s most famous play and we think it’s a great play to teach with your students.

In terms of teaching opportunities, this play opens up a spectrum of topics for students: the upper-class, affluent Victorian theatre, Wilde’s political ideals, libertarian traits, the lies and deception inherent in Victorian society, melodrama, satire and wit. It’s a great text because it opens up a host of teaching subjects that will not only allow pupils to gain a deep understanding of the play, but will also broaden their understanding of theatre.

Students will love Wilde’s sophisticated and sometimes controversial humour, his flamboyant and outrageous characters and his totally absurd storylines.