A new production of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest opens at the Stratford Festival‘s Avon Theatre on June 18, 2026 in Stratford, Ontario, bringing a vibrant twist to the tale of two gentlemen who invent alter egos to escape Victorian society.
Directed by Krista Jackson, the play features Carter Gulseth as Algernon Moncrieff, Joe Perry as John Worthing, and veteran Festival actor Fiona Reid as Lady Bracknell. The production has been in previews since May 19 and runs through October 23 at the 99 Downie Street venue.
Festival organizers describe the show as “vibrant and stylish,” with elaborate Victorian-era costumes by designer Cory Sincennes that use bold colours like orange, green, and pink. The creative team also includes set designer Bretta Gerecke, composer Sarah Slean, and lighting designer Imogen Wilson.
The 2026 season is a transitional one for the Festival, marking Artistic Director Antoni Cimolino’s final year after 14 years in the role. The season’s theme, “This Rough Magic,” explores how theatre matters in people’s lives, and The Importance of Being Earnest fits right in with its playful take on role-playing and dual identities.
Tickets for The Importance of Being Earnest are available through the Festival’s box office. The Avon Theatre, a downtown Stratford landmark since 1900, offers the Festival’s only traditional proscenium arch stage with about 1,100 seats.
