Overview
We have partnered with the all-new clean soda Höpt to present a selection of the coolest, cleanest events in New Zealand.
Last Tapes Theatre Company (Verbatim, The Last Five Years) and Fractious Tash (Titus, Confessions) are reimagining Oscar Wilde's wildly popular play The Importance of Being Ernest - a play which satirises bourgeoisie trying to escape their social commitments and conventions. Brimming with wit, bravado and a healthy dose of silliness, the all-male cast and live band will be belting out Cher's greatest hits and deliver Wilde's one-liners from August 27 until September 6.
Performed first in 1895, The Importance of Being Ernest became Wilde's best-known and most popular work, as well as the end of his career in drama.
On the opening night of the performance the Marquess of Queensberry, the father of Wilde's lover Lorde Alfred Douglas, planned on bringing him a bouquet of rotting vegetables to interrupt the play. Wilde was tipped off and stopped the Marquess from coming to the show, starting a feud which ended up in court.
Here Wilde's homosexuality was revealed to the public, and Wilde was sent to prison. Despite being wildly successful, Wilde's play was shut after 86 performances due to this 'scandal'. After being released from prison Oscar Wilde never wrote another dramatic or comic work again.
To get your hands on some Höpt, head to over to watch Earnest, where they will be handing out samples of this crisp new soda. You can also follow Ryan the Höpt Brand Ambassador's movements on Twitter or Instagram via @hoptsoda.