The Importance Of Being Earnest
An Amateur Dramatics Production
Produced by
Andrew Lamb
In late 2025 I produced RoCo Dramatics Society's am-dram production of 'The Importance Of Being Earnest', the classic comedy written by Oscar Wilde.
In addition to producing and directing the play I also created the publicity artwork, including the poster, social media imagery and other materials such as the special edition programme. On this page you will find samples of the various artwork I created, as well as further information and rehearsal photos for the production.
Further information and rehearsal pictures can be found on the RoCo website here
More of the artwork and branding that I have created for RoCo over the years can also be found on my website here

The Poster
The central piece of publicity artwork I created for the production.
"I have rarely missed a performance myself in over 25 years, but have to say that Thursday's performance of "Earnest" was one of the very best I have seen - and that bar is already pretty high! Wilde is technically very demanding. Facial expression, body language, tone of voice and timing are as crucial as the dialogue itself. Every single member of the cast was absolutely superb in all respects. You barely missed a beat between you, and are to be congratulated not only on the performance, but the dedication and commitment that has gone into it. I include in that the director/producer, and all the other behind the scenes team. Over the years, I have never ceased to be extremely impressed that a relatively small local amateur group consistently punches way above your weight in the delivery of the highest quality productions. It is a group of very talented people. Please may I ask you to ensure that my sentiments are shared with all concerned - it is thoroughly deserved. I can't wait for the next production! Very best wishes to you all!"
– David Hughes
Finale Cast Photos
Cast 'X', on Thu.20th & Fri.21st
Cast 'X', on Thu.20th & Fri.21st
The Importance Of Being Earnest (2025)
The Importance Of Being Earnest (2025)
Cast 'Y', on Sat.22nd
Cast 'Y', on Sat.22nd
The Importance Of Being Earnest
by Oscar Wilde

Performed; 20th-22nd November 2025
Cast 'X'
(on Thu.20th & Fri.21st)
Jack Worthing - Lloyd Coulson
Algernon Moncrieff - Stephen Bartlewska-Brown
Gwendolen Fairfax - Katherine Gilboy
Cecily Cardew - Alice Rayner
Lady Bracknell - Kathryn Wilkinson
Miss Prism - Michelle Whitaker
Rev. Canon Chasuble - Simon Kirchin
Merriman - Charlotte Wild
Lane - Tira Teague
Cast 'Y'
(on Sat.22nd)
Jack Worthing - Lloyd Coulson
Algernon Moncrieff - Stephen Bartlewska-Brown
Gwendolen Fairfax - Elena Strefford-Caine
Cecily Cardew - Jess Collins
Lady Bracknell - Mary Shalvey
Miss Prism - Michael Marden
Rev. Canon Chasuble - Simon Kirchin
Merriman - Charlotte Wild
Lane - Tira Teague
Production
Producer - Andrew Lamb
Assist. Director - Katherine Gilboy
Technical Supervisor - Stephen Bartlewska-Brown
Tech. Operators - Katherine Gilboy and Elena Strefford-Caine
Music - Elena Strefford-Caine
Costumes - Mary Shalvey & the company.
Hair & Make-Up - the company.
Set Design - Andrew Lamb
Props - Andrew Lamb & the company.
Prompts - Katherine Gilboy and Elena Strefford-Caine
Stage Crew - Alistair Babbington, John Baillie, Jess Collins, Andrew Lamb, Brian Marston, Michael Payne, Alice Rayner, Mary Shalvey, and Kathryn Wilkinson
Publicity Artwork & Materials - Andrew Lamb
Theatre Management
Box Office Supervisor - Andrew Lamb
Box Office Assistants - Mary Shalvey, Kathryn Wilkinson and Eleanor Wood
Front of House Manager - Charis Varnavides
Stewards & Bar Staff - Harriet-Lee Glover, Claire Kennedy, Karen Lamb, Rachel Lowe, Brian Marston, Jill Marston, Shona Parker, Leon Prager, Bronwen Robinson, Mary Shalvey, Sheila Telfer and Kathryn Wilkinson
First Aiders - John Burgess, Max Dudley and Helen Lewis
Pre-Viz
A selection of pre-visualisation artwork I produced in preparation for the production, including Storyboards and conceptual artwork of the stage/set.
About The Production
(Taken from my 'Director's Notes' included in the programme)
I had initially volunteered to produce a production for RoCo back in late 2024, and had spent a lot of time thereafter putting together and whittling down a short-list of potential options to stage. Funnily enough, The Importance Of Being Earnest (IOBE) was not one of the plays that I had originally considered - indeed, I only first decided to pursue it in June of 2025 whilst I was already putting an Audition Pack together.
I tried doing a fair amount of planning so that we had a foundation from which to progress from, for when production would eventually start-up following the audition. This involved working on a range of visual materials. As I work as a Storyboard Artist - which is a role and a process that is purely focussed in ‘visual communication’ - I find the use of visuals and illustrations to be the best way to communicate ideas, particularly when working with a large group of people.
I put together a mixture of reference photos and drew-up a range of conceptual illustrations, to try and depict the kind of ideas I wanted to pursue across the various elements that would have to be considered for a production; such as costumes, props, furniture, and the general set design. I am very thankful to our Stage Crew regulars, who have kindly given up their time to create a few items of props for us as well as helping to set up the stage.
For the play, I made the risky decision to essentially have two casts, with several roles being played by two people (each actor performing different shows). I had not originally intended to use ‘alternates’ for roles going into the audition, though it was something I had considered as a possibility. I wouldn’t have decided to make use of alternates at all if there hadn’t been so many strong performers from which to choose as a result of the audition.
For me the biggest challenge throughout the production was scheduling enough time so that everyone had a fair opportunity to rehearse their roles, which often would prove difficult. Everybody worked incredibly hard since day one, and that is no mean feat when you consider that RoCo rehearsals are held on late weekday evenings and the nights were getting darker (and colder) ever earlier as we approached the end of the year.
As we are an amateur group, everyone volunteered their time and energy to be a part of the production, so their patience and efforts over the months it took to put the show together is deeply appreciated. I am very happy with the cast that had been put together, and very proud of their efforts and work building their performances across the rehearsals.
2025 had been a ‘different’ year for RoCo, as it had seen our typical schedule disrupted in order to work around essential building work at St Andrew’s Roundhay (where we are based). This had presented us with various challenges, not only on IOBE but also on our previous show that had been staged in July 2025. But I believe that we managed to successfully navigate the hurdles we met.
RoCo aims to be a community, made up not only of our members and the St Andrew’s family, but the audience too. In theatre, the audience are also a part of the plays they watch, particularly one as vibrant as IOBE.
The Programme
Some pictures of the special edition programme I designed and edited for the production.
In the past, RoCo's programmes were as simple as a sheet of folder paper with little more than the cast & crew credits. Over recent years I have tried putting together more detailed programmes for RoCo's plays, containing more information and photography for audiences to enjoy.
The programme produced for The Importance Of Being Earnest was a lot bigger and far more extensive than any previous programme that has been produced for the group, featuring cast interviews, info on Oscar Wilde and his play, and a sample of the pre-production artwork I had produced.
The programmes were printed by WTTB
Dress Rehearsal 1
Sunday 16th November 2025
Dress Rehearsal 2
Tuesday 18th November 2025
Social Media Imagery
A selection of imagery created for social media/publicity.
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