THE Importance of Being Earnest, the classic comedy by Oscar Wilde, is heading for the Fisher Theatre, Bungay, on Saturday, May 14, in a performance by the Open Space Theatre Company.

The company has previously delighted audiences at the venue with performances of plays which include Private Lives, by Noel, Coward, The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams and, in the autumn of last year, Death of a Salesman by Arthur Miller.

Sarah Yaxley is swapping her role in a busy restaurant to help serve up a delicious comedy. Co-owner of the Fox and Goose at Fressingfield, she is doubling up as one of the stars of comedy during its tour of East Anglia. Sarah, 33, who achieved an honours degree in drama at Leeds University, has been working at the Fox and Goose since 2002 when she applied for a part-time job as a waitress in order to earn some money while she auditioned for professional theatre shows.

However, new owner, Paul Yaxley, was so impressed with her that he immediately appointed her manager and some time later, in a dramatic turn of events, asked her to marry him.

Sarah, who previously played the piano for customers in a musical instrument store, takes the role of Gwendolen in The Importance of Being Earnest, a classic comedy of late christenings, gorgon aunts and cucumber sandwiches.

She said: “The play is pure entertainment – comedy of manners at its best.”

This is her second production with Open Space Theatre, having played Amanda in Private Lives by Noel Coward.

Tickets cost �9 and �7 (concessions) and can be booked by telephoning 01986 897130.