Q-Eng

Journey back to Victorian London with us for the final episode of The Importance of Being Earnest, based on the original comedy by Oscar Wilde.

Everyone is gathered at Jack's house in the country. Jack is still arguing with Lady Bracknell, but, as soon as Miss Prism arrives, everything changes. It's time to find out who the real Ernest is...

Narrator
Lady Bracknell is visiting Jack's house in the country. She won't allow Jack to marry Gwendolen, and Jack, who is Cecily's guardian, won't allow Cecily to marry Algernon.

Lady Bracknell
Come here, dear child. How old are you?

Cecily
Eighteen.

Lady Bracknell
Well, you'll soon be able to decide yourself who to marry.

Jack
Excuse me, Lady Bracknell, but Miss Cardew doesn't come of age until she is 35, only then can she marry who she likes.

Lady Bracknell
Oh, that's not a problem. Thirty-five is a very attractive age. London society is full of women who have remained 35 for years. Lady Dumbleton, for example, she's been 35 ever since she turned 40, a long time ago.

Cecily
But I can't wait that long. I hate waiting even five minutes for someone. Waiting, even to be married, is just not possible.

Algernon
Well, what shall we do, Cecily?

Cecily
I don't know, Algernon.

Lady Bracknell
My dear Mr Worthing, as Miss Cardew says she cannot wait till she is 35 – which seems to indicate she is a little impatient – could you change your mind?

Jack
My dear Lady Bracknell, the moment you agree to my marriage with Gwendolen, I will happily allow your nephew to become engaged to Cecily.

Lady Bracknell
That is impossible. Look at the time! Gwendolen, dear, we've already missed five trains.

Narrator
But they'll miss the next one, too, because Reverend Chasuble arrives to announce that everything is ready for the christenings.

Lady Bracknell
Christenings, sir! Isn't that a little premature?

Chasuble
Both these gentlemen have said they want to be christened this afternoon.

Lady Bracknell
At their age? That's ridiculous! Algernon, Lord Bracknell would be very unhappy if he knew this was how you wasted your time and money.

Chasuble
So, no christenings this afternoon?

Jack
It would be no use to either of us, Reverend Chasuble, at the moment.

Chasuble
Well, I'll return to the church straight away. It seems Miss Prism has been waiting there for me for an hour and a half.

Lady Bracknell
Miss Prism! Did you say Miss Prism?

Chasuble
Yes, Lady Bracknell. I'm going to see her now.

Lady Bracknell
Wait a moment. Is this Miss Prism an unattractive woman, connected with education?

Chasuble
She's very well educated indeed.

Lady Bracknell
It's obviously the same person. And what position does she have in your house?

Jack
Miss Prism, Lady Bracknell, is Miss Cardew's governess.

Lady Bracknell
I must see her at once.

Chasuble
Well, she's here now! Look, she's coming up the garden path.

Narrator
Miss Prism arrives. When she sees Lady Bracknell, she goes white.

Lady Bracknell
Prism! Come here! Where is that baby? Twenty-eight years ago, Prism, you left my house with a pram in which a male baby was sleeping. You never came back. The police found the pram.It contained a novel but no baby! Prism! What happened to that baby?

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