The National Theatre’s ‘exuberant, joyous and celebratory’ (Financial Times) production of THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST is now playing at the Noël Coward Theatre, in a co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions.
Directed by Max Webster (Donmar’s Macbeth; Life of Pi) this ‘gloriously frivolous’ (Daily Mail) reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s ‘glittering masterpiece’ (Telegraph), is a hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, that is ‘outrageously camp, flamboyantly queer and ludicrously entertaining’ (Broadway World).
With an all-star including Olly Alexander in the role of Algernon Moncrieff alongside Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Jack Worthing, Hugh Dennis as Reverend Canon Chasuble, Shobna Gulati as Miss Prism, Kitty Hawthorne as Gwendolen Fairfax, Jessica Whitehurst as Cecily Cardew, Hayley Carmichael as Merriman/Lane, and Stephen Fry in his ‘scene-stealing turn’ (The Stage) as Lady Bracknell.
Please note: Olly Alexander is not scheduled to perform from Friday 7 to Thursday 13 November 2025. Hugh Dennis is not scheduled to perform on Wednesday 12 November, and the evening performances of Thursday 20 November and Thursday 11 December. Stephen Fry is not scheduled to perform on Wednesday 19 November. Shobna Gulati is not scheduled to perform from Monday 5 to Saturday 10 January.
Limited season now playing until 10 January, so don’t miss out! Book your THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST theatre tickets with LOVEtheatre today!
Being sensible can be excessively boring. At least Jack thinks so. While assuming the role of dutiful guardian in the country, he lets loose in town under a false identity.
Meanwhile, his friend Algy takes on a similar facade. Unfortunately, living a double life has its drawbacks, especially when it comes to love.
Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.
Tickets on sale for performances from 18 Sep 2025 – 10 Jan 2026
Please note: Olly Alexander is not scheduled to perform from Friday 7 to Thursday 13 November 2025. Hugh Dennis is not scheduled to perform on Wednesday 12 November, and the evening performances of Thursday 20 November and Thursday 11 December. Stephen Fry is not scheduled to perform on Wednesday 19 November. Shobna Gulati is not scheduled to perform from Monday 5 to Saturday 10 January.
2hrs 45mins (incl. interval)
Olly Alexander (Algernon Moncrieff), Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Jack Worthing), Hugh Dennis (Rev. Canon Chasuble), Shobna Gulati (Miss Prism), Kitty Hawthorne (Gwendolen Fairfax), Jessica Whitehurst (Cecily Cardew), Hayley Carmichael (Merriman/Lane), and Stephen Fry (Lady Bracknell).
Max Webster (Director), Oscar Wilde (Writer), Rae Smith (Set and Costume Designer), Jon Clark (Lighting Designer), Nicola T Chang (Sound Designer), Carrie-Anne Ingrouille (Movement Director), and DJ Walde (Composer).
'bold and brash Wilde reboot'
'Gloriously frivolous. A joyous production. Stephen Fry was born to play Lady Bracknell'
'This exuberant [joyous] production '
'Wilde party of irresistible anarchic charm'
'Oscar Wilde's theatrical masterpiece'
'Exuberant, joyous, celebratory'
'Funny, fresh, irreverent'
