A cast full of whimsical Londoners continues its comedy of manners this weekend in "The Importance of Being Earnest" at Lindon's Valley Center Playhouse.

Although the play was written over 120 years ago, its wry language entertains even today's audiences.

"It has always been a very successful play for us," said Jody Renstrom, owner and director of the Valley Center Playhouse. "Everyone laughs, which is unusual these days."

The play, written by Oscar Wilde in 1885, is regarded by some as the wittiest play in the English language.

"I suspect it is going to be one of my favorite plays I've done at the playhouse," said Jamie Gritton, who plays the role of main character Jack Worthing.

In the play, Worthing schemes to identify himself as Jack when visiting family in the country and claiming to have a brother named Earnest living in the city. However, when he returns to the city, he identifies himself as Earnest and behaves with upper-crust Victorian London manners.

Hilarity ensues when Jack's friend Algernon, played by Jordan Cummings, learns of his scheme, and calls himself Earnest to woo Cecily, while Jack, still going by Earnest, woos Gwendolyn.

Identity issues cause confusion for the men and amusement for the audience.

"It's a good evening out with lots of laughs," Renstrom said.

Gritton won the best actor award from the Playhouse for his 2004 role in "Conflict Turns to Love." A native Californian, Gritton started acting 10 years ago in Springville. He said he's taken on his character's English accent well.

"I like being in a play that's really language driven," Gritton said. "Some of the humor is very 100 years ago, but it's still accessible."

Gritton said one of the funniest scenes in the play is when Cecily, played by Melissa Lee, and Gwendolyn, played by Eliza McSwenny, discover, in the same scene, that neither of their suitors are named Earnest.

The two couples' struggle to court and marry is further complicated by the power and influence of Lady Bracknell, whose character is a parody of a high-brow English woman. Her many comic retorts are a favorite feature of the play.

Robin Booth plays Lady Bracknell, a role she took on at the Hale Center Theater Orem as well. Arlene McGregor, who directs the Playhouse's popular "Best Christmas Pageant Ever," will share the role of Lady Bracknell with Booth.

The Valley Center Playhouse also welcomes back Jana Nate as Miss Prism. Nate won best actress for "Possum City, USA." "The Importance of Being Earnest" is the debut play for director Marni Ashby, who worked with Gritton at Springville's Villa Playhouse.

Renstrom opened the Playhouse 31 years ago, originally in Provo, and moved it to the 169-seat venue in Lindon six years later. This is the third time Valley Center has produced "The Importance of Being Earnest."

"We have been known for good wholesome entertainment," Renstrom said. "It's a place you can bring a date or family and not be embarrassed."

If You Go:

The Importance of Being Earnest

When: Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays at 7:30 p.m., through June 26

Where: Valley Center Playhouse, 780 N. 200 East, Lindon

Tickets: Available at the door one hour before showtime, $6 adults; $5 children, students and seniors; $25 families; no children under 5

Info: 785-1186, www.vcpnews.com