Stars Gather In Earnest

Although Colin Firth was too busy to turn up, thousands of fans gathered for a peek at the stars of the film adaptation of Oscar Wilde's The Importance Of Being Earnest.

Dame Judi Dench stole the show at the film's premiere, in a black trouser suit with orange scarf.

Even Rupert Everett, who arrived in a Soho rickshaw with Jade Jagger, couldn't nab the limelight from Dame Judi, who plays Lady Bracknell in the classic comedy of manners.

The premiere, which took place at the Odeon in London's Leicester Square, was a gathering point for a host of stars, including other cast members Frances O'Connor, who plays Gwendolen, Anna Massey and Tom Wilkinson.

Wilkinson, Oscar-nominated for his performance in In The Bedroom, signed autographs and said of the film: "Wilde is subversive and people like that. He's a surrealist."

His co-star, Everett, who came out from inside the cinema to the rapturous applause of the waiting fans, described the film as "very cinematic", saying: "It's a really funny English story."

Conspicuously absent was English actor Colin Firth, who was filming in France and couldn't be there, and flavour of the moment, Reese Witherspoon, who plays Cecily Cardew and recently impressed movie-goers in the comedy Legally Blonde.

Director Oliver Parker said he believed he had "captured the essence" of the theatre production and transformed it successfully into a cinematic success.