Gaiety Theatre, Dublin Previews June 2-7, Opens June 8-19 8pm (Sat mat 3pm) 25-55 01-6771717/ 0818-719388

How serious should we be about Earnest? For many, it is a glittering comedy of crystal-cut epigrams and confoundedly clever situations. For others, it's a more complicated affair of double lives and secret codes; where its lead character is known as Jack in the country and Earnest in the city, while his friend engages in a clandestine hobby known as "bunburying". Shortly after its premiere, the first of two sensational trials unearthed details of Wilde's own covert existence, and since then it has always seemed to be addressing two audiences simultaneously.

Recently, Conall Morrison drew that subtext into the spotlight with an all-male version for the Abbey, only to discover that the text was still the main attraction. Rough Magic's new production at the Gaiety, directed by Lynne Parker, is trading on a less radical approach, employing bright costumes and a cast of company regulars (Rory Keenan, Rory Nolan and Eleanor Methven among them), not to mention relative newcomers Aoife Duffin, Gemma Reeves and one Stockard Channing (pictured). You may have heard about Channing, who takes on the role of Lady Bracknell, and gets to add a celebrity interpretation to that famously malleable line, "A handbag?". The risk of star casting is an uneven ensemble, but then again, this has never been a play without baggage. PETER CRAWLEY

Can't See That? Catch This

The Parting Glass, Axis Arts Centre, Dublin