If only all plays were as clever and as much fun as this captivating production of Oscar Wilde’s greatest comedy.

Sticking with the playwright’s intentions within The Importance of Being Earnest is prudent. In doing so, the State Theatre Company of SA has delivered a masterpiece.

The curtain is drawn back on the London flat of Algernon Moncrieff (Nathan O’Keefe), and the comedy of mistaken identities and ridiculous denouement is off.

Nancye Hayes as Lady Bracknell. Photo: Shane Reid

The play has lost none of its considerable edge. Sharp, funny, and a bit of a savage delight, Earnest has been applauded by all right-thinking men and women over the generations since its first production in 1895.

This new rendition is suave and beautifully done; there is no conceit.  But there is plenty of proficiency, which  ensures no one will feel short-changed. That’s because under Geordie Brookman’s direction, there is no comedic interference with the flow of an intoxicating cocktail of enchanting wit, satire, farce and double lives. Algernon and his best friend, John Worthing (Yalin Ozucelik), unbeknownst to each other, assume different identities in London and the country. Both are using the pseudonym Ernest when Jack proposes to Algernon’s cousin, Gwendolen Fairfax (Anna Steen), and Algernon becomes infatuated with Jack’s ward, Cecily Cardew (Lucy Fry).

Looming over the mayhem is Gwendolen’s mother and Algernon’s aunt, the commanding Lady Bracknell (Nancye Hayes), who, despite the capriciousness around her, remains exceedingly earnest.

The entire cast carries off their parts with aplomb and it’s a delight to hear the dialogue trip off the tongue with poise and rhythm.  This enormously appealing production, rich in satire and wit, has to be one of the year’s best. It’s thoroughly enjoyable and guaranteed to keep the audience laughing hard.

The Importance of Being Earnest is at the Dunstan Playhouse until August 16.