Some scenes from The Importance of Being Earnest (comedy, 1894) written by Oscar Wilde and produced by Charles Frohman at the Empire Theatre, New York City, in 1895

Some scenes from The Importance of Being Earnest (comedy, 1894) written by the Irish playwright Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900) and produced by Charles Frohman at the Empire Theatre, New York City, having run for 40 performances from April 22, 1895.

The Importance of Being Earnest

A Trivial Comedy for Serious People

THE PERSONS IN THE PLAY

John Worthing, J.P.

Algernon Moncrieff

Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.

Merriman, Butler

Lane, Manservant

Lady Bracknell

Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax

Cecily Cardew

Miss Prism, Governess

THE SCENES OF THE PLAY

ACT I. Algernon Moncrieff’s Flat in Half-Moon Street, W.

ACT II. The Garden at the Manor House, Woolton.

ACT III. Drawing-Room at the Manor House, Woolton.

TIME: The Present.

See the Full Cast.

Some scenes from The Prude’s Progress (A Comedy in Three Acts) written by Jerome K. Jerome (1859 – 1927) and Eden Phillpotts (1862 – 1960) and produced at the Comedy Theatre, in 1895.

Some scenes from The Prude’s Progress (A Comedy in Three Acts) written by the English playwright Jerome K. Jerome (1859 – 1927) and Eden Phillpotts (1862 – 1960) and published by Chatto & Windus, London, 1895, and produced at the Comedy Theatre, in 1895.

A photograph of Marie Wilton as Nan in Good for Nothing at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London, in 1879.

A photograph of Marie Wilton as Nan in Good for Nothing at the Prince of Wales Theatre, London, in 1879.

Marie Effie Wilton, Lady Bancroft (1836–1921) was an English actress and theatre manager. She appeared onstage as Marie Wilton until after her marriage in December 1867 to Squire Bancroft, when she adopted his last name. 

Photographs of Ellen Terry as Portia in The Merchant of Venice, produced by C. J. James, at the Prince of Wales's Royal Theatre, from April 17, 1875.

Photographs of Ellen Terry as Portia in The Merchant of Venice, produced by C. J. James with the stage manager Mr. Coglan and the scene designer Gordon and Harford, at the Prince of Wales's Royal Theatre, from April 17, 1875. 

Ellen Terry performing as Portia inThe Merchant of Venice

In 1875, Terry was engaged at the Prince of Wales's Theatre managed by Wilton and her husband Squire Bancroft. In her first role there Terry gave an acclaimed performance as Portia in The Merchant of Venice. Godwin was in charge of the artistic designs, including Terry's costumes; even after the two separated in 1875, he continued to design Terry's costumes.