The Importance of Being Earnest, captured live via satellite from London’s National Theatre, will be shown Saturday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. at the Fredonia Opera house.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center will present a new staging of the Oscar Wilde comedy classic, The Importance of Being Earnest, captured live via satellite from London’s National Theatre, Saturday, Sept. 13, at 1 p.m. The production is part of Arts in the Afternoon at the Opera House.

Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D. Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) in this joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s “glittering masterpiece” (London Telegraph).

Being sensible can be excessively boring. At least Jack thinks so. While assuming the role of dutiful guardian in the country, he lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy takes on a similar facade. Unfortunately, living a double life has its drawbacks, especially when it comes to love. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.

Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance.

Broadway World calls the production “a flawless piece of comic theatre.” London’s Telegraph calls it “fun, fabulous and fiery, it’s a hoot.” The production runs two hours, 45 minutes with one intermission.

Individual tickets are $15, ($10 students). Tickets may be purchased in person at the Opera House Box Office or by phone at 716-679-1891, Tuesday-Friday, 12-4:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased online anytime at www.fredopera.org. Arts in the Afternoon at the Opera House is sponsored by Dr. James M. & Marcia Merrins.

For this production, the Opera House is equipped with assistive listening headsets for the hearing-impaired. Simply request one from any usher or Opera House staff member.

The 1891 Fredonia Opera House Performing Arts Center is a member-supported not-for-profit performing arts center with a mission to “present the performing arts for the benefit of our community and region … providing access to artistic diversity … and high quality programming at an affordable price.” It is located in Village Hall in downtown Fredonia. For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fredopera.org.