Arts Diary: THEATRE The Importance of Being Earnest, Royal Exchange, Manchester.

Byline: MALCOLM HANDLEY

OSCAR Wilde's classic ``trivial comedy for serious people'' has been around so long -- and so frequently -- it is in danger of falling victim of the love-it-or-hate it syndrome.

Perhaps more than most plays The Importance of Being Earnest is so familiar almost everyone has a favourite line or favourite quote and, perhaps uniquely, an almost universally recognisable phrase. Who cannot recall the astonished response: ``A hand-bag!''? Of course, this creates its own problems as actors race and stumble toward the tried and trusted and audiences, collectively, will the action along to their own pace.

Director Braham Murray ensures those obstacles are cleared with a sharp, pacey and enjoyable production, which enjoys a slightly subversive, modern thread without losing any of the wit or period elegance.

Part of the enduring charm of the play is its totally improbable plot which -- for those who have not visited this planet recently -- asks us to accept that two beautiful young women could only fall in love with men called Earnest.

Gabrielle Drake gives a light and bright performance as Lady Bracknell, even managing to manoeuvre her way smartly around the Edith Evans ``handbag'' hurdle -- while the rest of the cast enjoy every witty word of Wilde's timeless dialogue.

Anna Hewson's Gwendolen has a delightfully modern thread and, while Laura Rees risks being a tad too girlie in a move aimed at giving the usually subservient Cecily a little more believable intrigue, she manages to add a seductive freshness to proceedings.

With solid performances from Joanna David as Miss Prism, along with Ian Shaw and Jamie De Courcey as the would be Earnests, this production is likely to set a new standard for Wilde classics.

It is an old and familiar favourite, but delivered with such pace and freshness that this is one piece of trivial nonsense guaranteed to ensure Wilde and his wit remains timeless.

It is also certain to bring a whole new audience to a splendidly sublime and hugely enjoyable piece.