You may think you know Oscar Wilde’s farcical classic The Importance of Being Earnest but I can guarantee you’ve never seen it like …Earnest?

A debut for the Adelaide Fringe. …Earnest? is a farce within a farce. When one of the lead Ernests is unavailable to perform, an unwitting audience member is plucked from the crowd to fill the role and hilarity ensues.

In a performance that could easily go off the rails, a highly skilled improv cast pulls together a feat that gets more ridiculous as the show goes on.

From the moment Ernest misses his cue and fails to appear on stage, the cast begin to oscillate between playing Wilde’s characters and heightened versions of the actors playing the roles. The troupe attempts to stage Earnest, but with an Algernon that struggles to perform the show outside of the blocking rehearsed and a booze-swilling Lady Bracknell spiking the tea among the many mishaps, it’s a rollercoaster ride that doesn’t stop until the handbag is revealed.

The ensemble’s energy is the engine that drives the production. Their comedic timing is sharp as they navigate the script’s constant shifts. In this production, some of the audience additions included an Alice Springs lawyer playing Jack, a six foot Irish lad playing Cecily, complete with a frilly frock and blonde curly wig, and a bearded Lady Bracknell.

It’s a show that could be seen multiple times, as the unexpectedness and varying audience members that are brought onstage means every show is unique.

Prior knowledge of the famous Wilde play helps with understanding the chaotic plot, but is unnecessary if you’re simply looking for a night of slapstick humour, and seeing an ever-growing number of audience members participate in a wonderfully unpredictable romp. Wilde would approve. Or at least pretend to, earnestly.

…Earnest? is playing at The Peacock in Gluttony until March 22. The importance of being early is buying your tickets now.

**** Four stars