Now into its 103rd year and showing no more than a few cracks in the currency of its humour's reference-points, The Importance of Being Earnest's continued success owes much to the crashing vacuity of the subject-matter and to the ongoing relish everyone takes in laughing at society - particularly society with a capital "S".

One review of the original production observed that "it imitates nothing, represents nothing, means nothing, is nothing . . . why attempt to analyse such a play?" Why indeed, save to say that its litany of witticisms - rarely more complex than one-liners or a serve and two volleys - is still mostly sharp, and its plot is still patently, gloriously ludicrous.

That said, this production, directed by Val May, is very good but a little let down by the casting. While never less than solid, neither Matthew Finney (Algernon) nor Robin Lermitte (John/Earnest) brings to his character the sparkle notable in other members of the cast. Liza Goddard rises above her obvious familiarity to play a convincingly strident Lady Bracknell while Geoffrey Davies, in each of the two minor roles of Algernon's manservant, Lane, and Canon Chasuble, all but steals the show with superb comic timing. As the canon, his mix of deferential bumbling, pregnant pauses and gently mannered innuendo is perfect. With the addition of a particularly attractive and quietly impressive set design from Tim Shortall in Act Two - the garden scene, featuring the greatest element of farce - the production gains momentum and cruises home more than adequately thereafter.

Runs until tomorrow. To book, phone Belfast 241919