She uses her position to control her daughter and nephew, particularly in their marriage plans, while treating everyone else with cruelty. She also chastises Jack for being an orphan, essentially blaming him for not being good enough for her daughter. In the second place, whenever I do dine there, I am always treated as a member of the family, and sent down with either no woman at all, or two. You are on page 1. of 17. This is based on the play "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde. A Midsummer Night's Dream. The show is more ambitious, more serious, more difficult… less fun, probably, but likely more satisfying. When she first hears about her nephew's proposal, she insults Cecily and doubts her grandfather's respectability. Build a site and generate income from purchases, subscriptions, and courses. GWENDOLEN.... Mr. Worthing, what explanation can you offer to me for pretending to have a brother?
She tells Jack, "the simplicity of your character makes you exquisitely incomprehensible to me. " Comedic Monologue For Teen Female. Lady Bracknell returns and, seeing Jack on bended knee, demands an explanation. These texts are from the second act of The Importance of being Earnest. Meanwhile, Jack proposes to Gwendolen; unfortunately, she explains that her ideal is to marry someone named Ernest and that Jack has no music or vibration to it. Auditionees should expect to read some excerpts from the show. Gwendolen assures Ernest Worthing that she loves his safe, solid name. The men are never honest about anything, even with themselves. My own one, I have never loved any one in the world but you.
If you do not know the story, we provided a full synopsis here. I would (I estimate) be quite likely to be cast in Earnest as either of the manservants or, possibly, as the Reverend Canon Chasuble, D. D. ; I am alas, too old to play Jack, and far too old to play Algernon. Can you doubt it, Miss Fairfax? She is expecting her nephew, Algernon, at a dinner party that evening, but Algy explains that he must go see his invalid friend, Bunbury, in the country. Algernon also tears up bills that arrive, illustrating the casual attitude of dandies toward responsibilities. The play opened in 1895 and was a tremendous hit. It is certainly very curious, for he asked me to be his wife yesterday afternoon at 5. Auditionees may prepare a short (1 - 2 min) monologue.
This is unacceptable to Lady Bracknell, especially if Jack hopes to marry her daughter, Gwendolen. Please be familiar with the whole script, and read the play in advance of your audition. Algernon lives in the city but goes "Bunburying" in the country, meaning he runs off to take care of a fictional friend, Bunbury. To take little seriously, to not work, and to artfully cultivate the air of doing nothing were all poses of the aesthetes. Rather than being sympathetic, she hopes Mr. Bunbury will not have a relapse on Saturday, thus throwing a wrench in her party plans. "only eighteen" Cecily is the precise age to "come out" as a Society debutante. It's the excuse I've always given for your leading such a bad life.
But, my own sweet Cecily, I have never written you any letters. Social status, lineage, and wealth combine to make marriage a business proposition that unites power. The dialogue portrays the rivalry between two practiced competitors in the game of courtship. Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1. In a dialogue between Jack and Algernon, Jack says, "I am sick to death of cleverness. MEN: Jack: It pains me very much to have to speak frankly to you, Lady Bracknell, about your nephew, but the fact is that I do not approve at all of his moral character. Did you find this document useful? He seems to be saying that the audience should take a long look at what their society deems valuable. He subsequently stayed to tea, and devoured every single muffin.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, csque dapibus efficitur laoreet. The popularity was interrupted by Wilde's arrest, trial, and imprisonment that same year for supposed immoral conduct. Sound Design and Original Music Composition: Benji Inniger. What wonderfully blue eyes you have, Ernest! You're quite perfect, Miss Fairfax. Yet, she admits to having no fortune when she married her husband, Lord Bracknell. As the play progresses, Wilde continues his epigrams and puns.
Other sets by this creator. A Long Day's Journey Into Night. Who is Lady Bracknell to Gwendolen? Assistant Stage Manager: Abigail Merritt. Wilde is taking a subject — love and marriage — that should be filled with passion and depth and turning it into an exercise in form. We will ask you to put different emotions on the last two lines of the monologue. Tories members of the more conservative political circles.
Throughout the act, epigrams deliver Wilde's social commentary on families, men and women, marriage, status, and the values of the upper class. Therefore, when Gwendolen wishes to marry the orphaned Jack, she abruptly tells him to acquire some parents before getting engaged to her daughter. It gives one position, and prevents one from keeping it up. " I am not sure, however, that the news inspires me with feelings of unmixed delight. Unlike most young Victorian women, Cecily is independent, strong, and can figure out what she wants. Please wait while we process your payment. When she arrives at Jack's residence in the country, she talks down to Cecily and refers to the governess as ''a female of repellent aspect. '' If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor. I don't care for anybody in the whole world but you. However, once she learns about the money, the young woman becomes the object of her affection.