Students who saw the arts industry they love so much decimated during COVID have come together and tried to make a difference. Initially armed with nothing but their determination, passion and drive, and after ten months of uncertainty and setbacks, they are delighted to announce that their dream has now become a reality. Filmed at the wonderful Sunderland Empire and in aid of Acting for Others, WELCOME to the official donation page for The Importance of Being Earnest!

This charity production offers Wilde’s most widely-loved and recognised play with a twist...

The playwright himself will be introduced as a character at three intervals during the performance. These scenes, written by director Adam Kinneen, draw on Wilde’s letters and words, giving an unseen insight into his life. They track his magnificent rise to stardom, from the successes of The Picture of Dorian Gray and The Importance of Being Earnest, to his heartbreaking downfall following revelations about his sexuality. The entire production is performed against the backdrop of the 2,000 empty seats of the magnificent Sunderland Empire, symbolically calling attention to the suffering of the arts industry throughout the Covid-19 crisis. 

The work that Acting for Others does for people who are in need of support, financial or otherwise, is crucial in order to maintain the momentum of the UK’s arts industry. All profits made from ticket sales to The Importance of Being Earnest will go to this absolutely vital charity, helping in the fight to secure the future of the UK’s incredibly talented pool of artists and creatives.