Witty dialogue and a terrific local cast will greet theatre goers as Warragul Theatre Company brings a favourite Oscar Wilde play to life.

“The Importance of Being Earnest” will be performed at the West Gippsland Arts Centre with five shows from Thursday.

Father and daughter duo Rob and Amy Robson are co-directors for this trivial comedy for serious people.

“We just hope to give people a really nice night out,” Rob said.  “(It’s) a very innocent, very funny play with some terrific people playing the roles.”

In addition to Rob and Amy, who return as co-directors from the company’s award-winning production of “A Streetcar Named Desire”, the main cast features many returning and well-known faces.

The cast includes Jai Law as Algernon, Isabel Stephens as Gwendolen, Michael Winterton as Lane, Deb Welch as Lady Bracknell, Elyse Clyde as Miss Prism, Alyssa Fritzlaff as Cecily, and John Black as Dr Chasuble.

“It’s a beautiful play written by Oscar Wilde in the Victorian era which plays a mockery of people who pretend to be one thing when they’re really something else,” Rob said.  “It’s a very funny play.”

First staged in 1895, the play has seen innumerable productions, on stage and in film with classic lines on offer.

The play will be performed on Thursday at 7.30pm, Friday at 7.30pm, Saturday at 1.30pm and 7.30pm and Sunday at 1.30pm.

Tickets are $38 for general, $35 for concession, $33 for arts centre members, and $25 for youth under 18.

For bookings contact the West Gippsland Arts Centre box-office on 5624 2456 or visit wgac.com.au.