The University Players production of Oscar Wilde’s comic masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest premiered Thursday at Essex Hall Theatre.

The play, which relates the romantic entanglements of wits Algernon Moncrieff and Jack Worthing, continues through April 14.

A luncheon lecture with English professor emeritus Colin Atkinson will precede the Sunday, April 7, performance; a “talk back” session with director Leigh Rivenbark and members of the cast will follow it.

For more information or tickets, call 519-253-3000, ext. 2808, or visit www.UniversityPlayers.com.