This weekend, deception, wit and an imaginary brother will be brought to life when No Refund Theatre (NRT) performs the English comedy The Importance of Being Earnest.

NRT veteran Bill Curran (senior-film and video) in his directorial debut (and finalé) will direct the satirical Oscar Wilde play, which will be performed at 8 p.m. in 111 Forum.

"This play is very relevant today," Curran said. "It's about appearances and how society operates."

The play revolves around two best friends, Jack and Algernon, and their pursuit of the objects of their desire. Jack, who lives in the country, invents a brother, Ernest, to "visit" when he travels into the city. Problems begin between the two friends when Jack attempts to rid himself of Ernest.

"Ernest is the catalyst, and he doesn't even exist," Curran said.

Complications also develop between the two friends and their love interests during the confusion.

"The deception that goes on affronts their upright Victorian natures," said Sari Rothrock (senior-geography and philosophy). Rothrock will play Cecily, one of the two female love interests.

Earnest will feature more elaborate sets and costumes, a contrast from NRT's usually stripped-down style, said Kathryn Stevens (senior-journalism and theatre), who will play Lady Bracknell. Sets will include the interior of two different houses as well as a garden scene.

"It's very ambitious, and it really works," she said. "It's amazing what putting on the right costume does for a character. This play is all about appearances, and the well-decorated sets are just perfect."

Curran's former instructor, Susan Martin, is the technical director for the production. Martin is a doctoral candidate studying 18th-century English drama and theatre. She coached the actors to improve their English accents, as well as helped to make costumes.

"This play has stood the test of time," she said. "I'm happy with how [the actors] have worked on it."

Many of the actors in the show will be performing in their final NRT show.

"I couldn't have asked for a stranger group of people to have my last show with," Kim Cicconi (senior-journalism), who will play Miss Prism, said.

"This will definitely be a night at the theater," Curran said. "Come for the tea, stay for the wit."