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monologue
Classical
1 Character

Act I — The Interview

from The Importance of Being Earnest

Written by Oscar Wilde

Lady Bracknell interrogates Jack Worthing to determine if he is a suitable suitor for her daughter, Gwendolen. She delivers a scathing and hilariously detached critique of his social standing and his lack of living parents.

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LADY BRACKNELL: I feel bound to tell you that you are not down on my list of eligible young men. Do you smoke? Good. A man should always have an occupation of some kind. Now to minor matters. Are your parents living? Both dead? To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lo

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CharactersLady Bracknell
Duration2 min
Age Range45-55
GenderFemale
GenreClassical
PeriodClassical
Formatmonologue
SourceThe Importance of Being Earnest
Tonepowerful
AccentReceived Pronunciation (RP)
Suitable Fordrama school audition, agent showcase, competition, general practice
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