Redhound Theatre presents, ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’

Corbin High School’s Redhound Theatre will open its 2018-19 season Thursday night with Oscar Wilde’s, “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

The play centers around two men, Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing, who each claim to be “Earnest.”

“It is more than just the name Earnest. It is the importance of being earnest, as in truthful,” said Candy Jones, choir teacher at Corbin High School, who works with Redhound Theatre.

Worthington wants to propose to Moncrieff’s cousin, Gwendolen Fairfax, but has some explaining to do to his friend as his cigarette case bears the inscription, “From little Cecily, with her fondest love to her dear Uncle Jack.”

Worthington admits to living a double life.

While living in the country, he is very serious as he looks after his young war, Cecily Cardew.

While in London, he is the wild Earnest.

Moncrieff admits to living a similar double life.

Serious in London, Moncrieff pretends to have an invalid friend in the county to visit whenever he wishes to avoid attending a social event.

“Two guys are in love with two women and both are claiming to be, ‘Earnest.’ Both of them get found out,” Jones explained.

“There are twists and turns throughout,” Jones said explaining that it is a comedy in the mold of 2017’s “Charlie’s Aunt.”

“Just laugh out loud,” Jones said.

Redhound Theatre Director Rebecca Liford-Hibbard said it was one play that she has been excited to bring to the stage.

“Oscar Wilde is my favorite playwright and I just adore this period. It is just pretty to look at. The language is so witty, smart and enjoyable,” Hibbard said.

Performances will be at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the Betty Hamilton Center for the Performing Arts at Corbin High School. Admission is $8 for adults and $5 for students.

The performance will be approximately one hour with a 10-minute intermission in between the two acts.

Redhound Theatre will be performing two musicals this season.

Hibbard said the December performance will be, “A Christmas Carol.”

“It is not a traditional musical,” Hibbard said.

In April, “Hello Dolly” will come to the stage.

“It is very colorful and happy,” Hibbard said. “It is really funny and clever.”

Hibbard said she is in a good place as a theater teacher with a group of more than 20 seniors among her cast and crew.

The majority of the seniors started with me in eighth grade when we did, ‘Shrek,’ Hibbard explained. “I’m lucky to have a really great group of kids.”