A THEATRE company in Cornwall have told audiences to be prepared to 'laugh out loud' as they prepare to showcase their latest production.

Helston Theatre Company are almost ready to bluff and bluster their way through what is described as Oscar Wilde’s 'satirical masterpiece', his last and most loved comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest.

Often described as a trivial comedy for serious people, the quite bonkers plot mocks Victorian sensibilities with some of the best loved and frankly ludicrous characters to be found on the modern stage.

Falmouth Packet: The Helston Theatre Company. Picture: Si ColganThe Helston Theatre Company. Picture: Si Colgan

The production centres around the story of two bachelors, John 'Jack' Worthing and Algernon 'Algy' Moncrieff, who create alter egos named Ernest to escape their tiresome lives.

They attempt to win the hearts of two women who, conveniently, claim to only love men called Ernest.

Falmouth Packet: Megan McMinn as Gwendolen Fairfax with Simon Oliver as John Worthing. Picture: Si ColganMegan McMinn as Gwendolen Fairfax with Simon Oliver as John Worthing. Picture: Si Colgan

It soon becomes quite a struggle to keep up with their own stories and they quickly are entangled in a tale of disguise, deception and misadventure

The Importance of Being Earnest is one of those iconic plays by Oscar Wilde that engages themes such as marriage, class, social expectations, and the lifestyles of the English upper class and is still, quite rightly, enduringly popular today.

Falmouth Packet: Charlotte Laity as Cecily Cardew with Sam Scott as Algernon Moncrieff. Picture: Si ColganCharlotte Laity as Cecily Cardew with Sam Scott as Algernon Moncrieff. Picture: Si Colgan

The production will be touring to three venues across Cornwall, starting at Bedruthan Hotel in Newquay on Saturday, August 6, before heading to Coronation Park in Helston on Sunday, August 7 and eventually finishing at Penlee Park Open-Air Theatre in Penzance on Monday, August 8 and Tuesday, August 9.

More information about each venue and the times of performances can be found on the company’s website.