From 2013 until 2015 I ran a multimedia project called “The insignificance of being Gwendolen”. It consisted of a weekly video-blog and an accompanying written blog, “The Triviality of Cecily”.
The project was a modern free adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest written by Oscar Wilde. The play concentrates on the perspective of Jack Worthing, while this webseries had female focus: the series is told from the point of view of Jack’s love interest Gwendolen Fairfax.
Too rich for her own good, bored and cynical, Gwen starts a vlog on the recommendation of her therapist Dr Chasuble. Not very tech-savvy, Gwen involves a group of film students to edit for her. In her weekly updates, Gwen faces – together with her best friend Al(gernon Moncrieff) – that abyss called real life with its societal norms, dominant mothers, and constant lack of Moët and cucumber sandwiches. Gwendolen’s life drastically changes when Al tries to set her up with a man called Ernest Worthing and another woman, Cecily Cardew, is forcefully thrown upon her. Will Gwen ever feel anything but insignificant in her own lifestory?
The series consists of exactly 52 episodes. While the series was run by me (read more here), Ilse A. Ras took over Cecily’s blog and together, we made this into the multifaceted project it was. We could have never worked as efficiently and consistently without Samantha Schäfer, who had an eye on continuity, scheduling, plotlines and our work attitude as Transmedia Supervisor.
Here the primary cast listing:
Josh Sutherland as Ernest Worthing
Luke Adekoya Campbell as Algernon Moncrieff
Danou Duifhuizen as Cecily Cardew
Lisa T. Downey-Dent as Gwendolen Fairfax
Debra Leigh-Taylor as Miss Prism
Sara Mason as Lady Bracknell
Cliff Chapman as Merriman (voice)
As linked above, the blog can be read here: The Trivitality of Cecily
and all episodes can be watched via this playlist: The insignificance of being Gwendolen (full)
List Of Episodes:
Act
1. Being Gwen
2. Unemployment
3. Student Filmmaking
4. Mum Drives Me Bonkers
5. France
6. Algernon Moncrieff
7. Slightly Unstable
8. Turtle Love
9. Introducing Ernest
10. What My Degree Was Worth
11. Moving On!
Act II
12. London, Baby!
13. Meet Algernon
14. Rich Girl Confessions
15. Most Awkward First Date Ever
16. Drunk Night Aftermath
17. Applications
18. What’s In A Name?
19. Who The Hell Is Cecily
20. Relationship Status
21. Parents VS Romance
22. Boys Don’t Cry
Act III
23. In Desperate Times…
24. The Beginning Of A Great Friendship
25. Peeta Or Ernest
26. 2 Girls 1 Camera
27. Hertfordshire Ink
28. Vlog Takeover Pt.1
29. Vlog Takeover Pt.2
30. Ernest’s Arrival
31. Romance Blossoms
32. Reunited
33. Dead?
34. B* Say What!?
35. Oh No She Didn’t!
36. Revelations
Act IV
37. Disappointment
38. Muffins
39. Let It Go!
40. What Is My Life?
41. Apology
42. Forgiveness
43. Would I Lie To You?
44. Lady Calm Down
45. Prism Chase
46. An Unexpected Arrival
47. Mother Knows Best
48. #Feminism
49. Strong And Independent
50. Babies & Chihuahuas
51. The Importance Of Being E(a)rnest
52. Happy Ending