Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy’s Don Bosco Drama Club presents its tenth theatrical production, Oscar Wilde’s romantic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest. This three-act play is a hilarious satire on Victorian ladies and gentlemen who further their own desires through deception, but end up getting caught in their own web of lies. 

Written in 1895, this fabulously witty drama centres on Jack Worthing, who creates a fake brother, Earnest, to give him a reason to leave his country home and visit London. While in the city, Jack adopts the persona of Earnest himself, leaving behind his respectable character. Problems arise when he falls in love with his friend Algernon’s cousin, Gwendolyn Fairfax, who loves him in return—but chiefly because his name is Earnest. 

Meanwhile, Algernon decides to show up at Jack’s country estate unannounced, posing as Jack’s wayward brother Earnest. He delights—and is delighted by—Jack’s charming ward Cecily. Unfortunately, she too is inordinately attached to the name of Earnest. The rest of the play sees Jack and Algernon scrambling to untangle the mess they’ve created through their false identities, all the while trying to retain the affections of the women to whom they’ve become attached. 

The play is directed by Mrs. Jenny Hayden-Baklinski, who studied theatre at Ave Maria College in Michigan. She has successfully directed several productions for OLSWA in the past, including Shakespeare’s The Tempest and Molière’s The Learned Ladies. Jenny is renowned for her lavish attention to visual detail, and this production—with its top hats and peacock feathers—will not disappoint. 

The director remarks that “the cast this year has been in wonderful form. They work well together, the wit is snappy, and there is a drive to make even this 'trivial comedy' of top-notch quality... My hope is that this play, along with all of our theater productions, are a way we can showcase the Academy to the community as well as give back in a small way. If we can share a smile with you, share the wit and humor of this play, then it is a small return for the welcome and home we have found here in Barry's Bay.”

The play will be presented on February 10th and 11th at 7:00 p.m., and February 12th at 2:00 p.m., at the Madawaska Valley District High School in Barry’s Bay, Ontario. Tickets are $8.00 in advance or $10.00 at the door and can be purchased by calling 613.756.3082 or through Lorraine’s Pharmasave in Barry’s Bay. The discount price for students is $5.00. Groups of 15 or more may receive a discount price of $5.00 per ticket, but only through advance reservations. 

For the poster, click here.

To attend pre-performance rehearsals, or for more information or pictures, please contact: Katerina Meckelborg at 613.602.2522 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or Jen Baklinski at 613.757.0025 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it