The Persons in the PlayJohn Worthing, J.P.Algernon MoncrieffRev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.Merriman, ButlerLane, ManservantLady BracknellHon. Gwendolen FairfaxCecily CardewMiss Prism, GovernessThe Scenes of the PlayACT I. Algernon Moncrieff''s Flat in Half-Moon Street, W.ACT II. The Garden at the Manor House, Woolton.ACT III. Drawing-Room at the Manor House, Woolton.TIME: The Present.London: St. James''s TheatreLessee and Manager: Mr. George AlexanderJohn Worthing, J.P.: Mr. George Alexander.Algernon Moncrieff: Mr. Allen Aynesworth.Rev. Canon Chasuble, D.D.: Mr. H. H. Vincent.Merriman: Mr. Frank Dyall.Lane: Mr. F. Kinsey Peile.Lady Bracknell: Miss Rose Leclercq.Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax: Miss Irene Vanbrugh.Cecily Cardew: Miss Evelyn Millard.Miss Prism: Mrs. George Canninge.First ActSceneMorning-room in Algernon''s flat in Half-Moon Street. The room is luxuriously and artistically furnished. The sound of a piano is heard in the adjoining room.[Lane is arranging afternoon tea on the table, and after the music has ceased, Algernon enters.]Algernon. Did you hear what I was playing, Lane?Lane. I didn''t think it polite to listen, sir.Algernon. I''m sorry for that, for your sake. I don''t play accurately-any one can play accurately-but I play with wonderful expression. As far as the piano is concerned, sentiment is my forte. I keep science for Life.Lane. Yes, sir.Algernon. And, speaking of the science of Life, have you got the cucumber sandwiches cut for Lady Bracknell?Lane. Yes, sir. [Hands them on a salver.]Algernon. [Inspects them, takes two, and sits down on the sofa.] Oh! ... by the way, Lane, I see from your book that on Thursday night, when Lord Shoreman and Mr. Worthing were dining with me, eight bottles of champagne are entered as having been consumed.Lane. Yes, sir; eight bottles and a pint.Algernon. Why is it that at a bachelor''s establishment the servants invariably drink the champagne? I ask merely for information.Lane. I attribute it to the superior quality of the wine, sir. I have often observed that in married households the champagne is rarely of a first-rate brand.Algernon. Good heavens! Is marriage so demoralising as that?Lane. I believe it is a very pleasant state, sir. I have had very little experience of it myself up to the present. I have only been married once. That was in consequence of a misunderstanding between myself and a young person.Algernon. [Languidly.] I don''t know that I am much interested in your family life, Lane.Lane. No, sir; it is not a very interesting subject. I never think of it myself.Algernon. Very natural, I am sure. That will do, Lane, thank you.Lane. Thank you, sir. [Lane goes out.]Algernon. Lane''s views on marriage seem somewhat lax. Really, if the lower orders don''t set us a good example, what on earth is the use of them? They seem, as a class, to have absolutely no sense of moral responsibility.[Enter Lane.]Lane. Mr. Ernest Worthing.[Enter Jack.][Lane goes out.]Algernon. How are you, my dear Ernest? What brings you up to town?Jack. Oh, pleasure, pleasure! What else should bring one anywhere? Eating as usual, I see, Algy!Algernon. [Stiffly.] I believe it is customary in good society to take some slight refreshment at five o''clock. Where have you been since last Thursday?Jack. [Sitting down on the sofa.] In the country.Algernon. What on earth do you do there?Jack. [Pulling off his gloves.] When one is in town one amuses oneself. When one is in the country one amuses other people. It is excessively boring.Algernon. And who are the people you amuse?Jack. [Airily.] Oh, neighbours, neighbours.Algernon. Got nice neighbours in your part of Shropshire?Jack. Perfectly horrid! Never speak to one of them.