The importance of being Earnest

"The text of this ... [edition] of Oscar Wilde's comedic tour-de-force is the established three-act version, accompanied by explanatory annotations. The Importance of Being Earnest was originally written in four acts, but Wilde shortened it to three at the urging of George Alexander, the owner of the St. James Theatre and the first actor to play Jack Worthing. The excised portions of the play are included in an appendix. ..."--Back cover.