The Importance of Being Earnest

My adoration of Oscar Wilde was a gift from my father who introduced me to the novels and plays. The original film of The Importance of Being Earnest was a firm favourite and, when I was 16, my father took me to a stage production with Dame Maggie Smith as Lady Bracknell. When, rather than attempting to outdo Edith Evans, Smith chose to cover her mouth and leave the “a handbag!” line unexpressed, she brought the house down. It remains one of the best theatre-going experiences of my life. My love for Oscar came full circle when I named my son in his honour.