THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST - A TRIVIAL COMEDY FOR SERIOUS PEOPLE - BY OSCAR WILDE - A GUNSTON CLASSIC The Importance of Being Earnest, A Trivial Comedy for Serious People is a play by Oscar Wilde was first performed in 1895 London. It is a farcical comedy in which the protagonists maintain fictitious personæ to escape burdensome social obligations. and the themes are the triviality with which it treats institutions as serious as marriage, and the resulting satire of Victorian ways. Contemporary reviews all praised the play's humour, its high farce and witty classic dialogue have helped make The Importance of Being Earnest Wilde's most enduringly popular play.