"The Importance of Being Earnest" is first performed on Valentine's Day at St. James' Theater in London. This is Wilde's fourth West End hit in the short span of three years. After Wilde is arrested in April for gross indecency, actor-manager George Alexander removes Wilde's name from all advertising and programs in the hopes of saving the shows. This tactic was unsuccessful and the box office collapsed, closing the play on May 8, 1895. The play only ran for 83 performances and would not be revived until 1901, after Wilde's death.

Sources

Victoria and Albert Museum, "'The Importance of Being Earnest': The first stage production, 1895"