Oscar Wilde's A Woman Of No Importance returns to the Theatre Royal Haymarket, where it was premiered in 1893, for a strictly limited autumn season. Rupert Graves, Samantha Bond and Prunella Scales lead a first rate ensemble in this comedy of the classes, directed by Adrian Noble.

Set amidst the grandeur of an English country home, Wilde's deliciously witty satire lays bare the moral contradictions of Victorian society.

Previews are scheduled for 10th-15th September, with performances through to 31st January 2004.

Miss Bond is impressive as the pained mother who sacrifices her honour to protect her son, while the bitchy comedy delivered by Rupert Graves and Miss Pearce is always delicious.
Theatre World.

Rupert Graves lends the stylish cad, Lord Illingworth, an epicene loucheness.
The Guardian.

Graves is outstanding as the caddish dandy Lord Illingworth and Samantha Bond, dressed in mournful black delivers a fine performance with such vocal sharpness.
Palatinate.

Rupert Graves is superb as Lord Illingworth, a louche, upper class rake.
The Spectator.

Directed by the ex-Artistic Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Adrian Noble, it's a witty melodrama with a stellar cast headed by Rupert Graves as the attractive cad, Lord Illingworth.
The Times.

It's when the play lurches into melodrama that Noble's staging takes off, chiefly because of a wonderful performance from Rupert Graves as Lord Illingworth.
Financial Times.