The two most vital words in The Importance of Being Earnest, the Library Theatre Company’s last play at their present home, are “A Handbag” spoken by an indignant Lady Bracknell.

I add two more, ‘Au Revoir’.

For after 58 years, they will move to the Lowry and on tour before, in four years, occupying the Theatre Royal around the corner.

They opened with Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece in 1952 and close with it in 2010.

The famous lines by Lady Bracknell on discovering her prospective son-in-law was dumped in a handbag as a baby are intoned quietly but meaningfully by man in drag, Russell Dixon.

His stern matriarch has masculine qualities - strength of character, forthrightness and a booming upper class accent - captured perfectly by Dixon who doesn’t over exaggerate.

The plot surrounds dashing bachelor Algernon Moncrieff (Alex Felton) and his chum Jack Worthing (Simon Harrison).

They try to win Cecily (Florence Hall) and Gwendolen (Natalie Grady) who both want a fiancé called Ernest.

The cast portray frivolity, snobbishness and humour and speak Wilde’s double-entendres with immaculate timing amid the cucumber sandwiches.

The scene when Jack declares he is a Liberal Unionist and Lady Bracknell replies “They count as Tories!” gets the biggest laugh of all.

The women, believing they are engaged to the same man, tussle delicately over tea whilst their hapless suitors convey bewilderment throughout.

The Director, Chris Honer leaves his imaginative touch on a production that will be remembered as one of the company’s greats.

* Until 3rd July. Box Office 0161 236 7110 or visit www.librarytheatre.com.