The Importance of Being Earnest is a classic comedy of manners in which two flippant young men, in order to impress their respected beloveds, pretend that their names are Ernest, which both young ladies believe confers magical qualities on the possessor. It was first performed for the public on February 14, 1895 at the St. James Theatre in London, and is regarded by many critics and scholars as being the wittiest play in the English language.