“Anyone who lives within their means suffers from lack of imagination” – Oscar Wilde

While others are preoccupied with cucumber sandwiches and railway cloakrooms, two minor characters from The Importance of Being Earnest are up to their necks in something else. A country rector and a governess, models of Victorian propriety in public. But in private? This is the play behind the play: a tale of blackmail, embezzlement and false identity. A subversively funny new take on an Irish theatrical classic.

Written and Performed by Helen Norton & Jonathan White

Director – Conor Hanratty
Set Design – Maree Kearns
Costume Design – Saileóg O’ Halloran

Critical Acclaim for To Hell In a Handbag

“To Hell in a Handbag is a delight – beautifully written and acted with exquisite comic timing.”
★ ★ ★ ★ ★  – The Mail On Sunday

“Helen Norton and Jonathan White, have pulled off a coup with their enchanting visit to the outer rim of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest… packs extraordinary amounts of plot and top-notch gags into a compact package”
★ ★ ★ ★  – The Irish Times

“In keeping with the exceptional standard of their script, the performances given are outstanding.”
★ ★ ★ ★  – EdinburghGuide

“Helen Norton and Jonathan White have crafted a pitch-perfect companion piece … If you love Wilde – and who doesn’t? – you’ll love this”
★ ★ ★ ★  – ThreeWeeks, Edinburgh

“Wickedly, side-splittingly funny, in a sophisticated, witty and elegant way…a joyous romp not to be missed, a worthy homage to its master and progenitor”
– Sunday Independent

“This comic gem … a hoot of an instant classic”
– The Observer