University Players will complete its 54th season with one of the funniest plays ever written: Oscar Wilde’s comedic masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest. The play runs April 4 to 7 and 10 to 14 at Essex Hall Theatre.

Algernon and Jack are good friends who each maintain different identities in the town and in the country. And matters get particularly confusing when both men pursue love under the pseudonym of “Ernest!” Amid a flurry of mistaken identity, witty banter and cucumber sandwiches, the day is saved by the larger-than life-Lady Bracknell. This side-splitting farce will keep you laughing until you cry.

“Earnest is an entertaining comedy of manners, which remains popular today for several reasons,” says the play’s director, Leigh Rivenbark. “But the biggest reason the play has stood the test of time is Wilde’s comic genius. He never preaches to us. Instead, he conveys contentious commentary while making us laugh.”

Wednesday through Saturday performances are at 8 p.m., Sunday matinees are at 2 p.m. On Sunday, April 7, a “Talk Back” discussion with the director and actors will follow the performance. For more information or tickets, call 519-253-3000, ext. 2808, or visit www.UniversityPlayers.com.

Let’s Talk Theatre

This production will also mark the final event in this season’s Let’s Talk Theatre, a luncheon-lecture series produced by University Players and Uni-Com. The goal of the series is to provide opportunities to learn more about University Players and its productions.

The three-course lunch will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 7, at Assumption University’s Freed-Orman Centre. Colin Atkinson, professor emeritus of English, will talk about the show. A question-and-answer period will follow.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by calling the box office at 519-253-3000, ext. 2808.