EVERYONE'S favourite Oscar Wilde play returns to the New Theatre this week, with the Middle Ground Theatre Company doing a superb job of putting on this delightful production.

Filled with famous one-liners, the characters constantly bring something slightly new to this well-known script, especially Diane Fletcher as the impossible Lady Bracknell.

Her delivery of the notorious 'a handbag!' line, when her daughter's fiance reveals the circumstances of his unusual family, is both different and still very funny.

The play revolves around two friends - Jack and Algernon - who become engaged to two women - Gwendolen and Cecily - who both adore the name Earnest and belive that Jack and Algernon are both actually called Earnest.

The ensuing confusion - exacerbated by the fact that both men have a make-believe brother or friend that they use as an excuse to get away from their families - is expertly handled here.

There are some fine performances from the principal actors, especially from Jim Alexander as the incorrigible Algernon, Sapphire Elia as the sweet and imaginative Cecily, Corrinne Wicks as the sharper-tongued Gwendolen and Jack as her unusitable suitor. Gerry Hinks deserves a special mention as he subtly and hilariously plays the part of butler in both homes.

The scenery is extravagant, especially the second act where evertyhing takes place in an elegant manor house garden, and the whole production is very pleasing aesthetically.

The play, well worth a visit, runs until Saturday.