While this was an excellent play as with all of Wilde's work I found myself again beaten by Wilde at his best. And what I mean there is that I basically found that this was not Wilde's best work and that as a result compared to The Importance of Being Earnest it fell a little flat.
Oscar Wilde's best work for me has always been highlighted by his dazzling wit and brilliant comedy lines. You cannot go past the scene in The Importance of Being Earnest where Algernon is eating muffins for instance. Yet this play seemed to focus on more serious elements. The plot consisting of characters working their way through a web of lies. It's a nice clever little tangle of a plot but it lacks the real sparkle and life of his greater plays.
Perhaps this works as a social critique, again like Wilde's best work, yet, as I've repeated often in this sleep addled state: it falls flat. Still would I recommend it? Of course I would. Any play of Oscar Wilde's is worth reading and every play of his has many scenes to laugh at. However some of his works are more jokes that you smile at and turn the page rather than laugh out loud at. And in my opinion his best work makes you laugh out loud. Of course I shall have to read what I consider his finest piece next. I shall have to revisit the various incarnations of Earnest. But while I do why don't you pick this up and have a read. Or observe the live play: even better!