The Importance of Being Earnest Tickets
Olly Alexander & Stephen Fry star in the West End transfer of Wilde's masterpiecePerformance dates
18 September 2025 - 10 January 2026
Run time: 2hrs 45mins
Includes interval
Top Rated Show
Reviewers highly rate this show
125 reviews
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The National Theatre’s sold-out production of The Importance of Being Earnest transfers to the Noël Coward Theatre this Autumn, in a co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions.
Directed by Max Webster’s (Donmar’s Macbeth; Life of Pi) this joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s ‘glittering masterpiece’ (Telegraph), is a hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance.
Joining the previously announced Olly Alexander in the role of Algernon Moncrieff will be 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 as Lady Bracknell.
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.
Limited season begins 18 September.
Special notes
Please note: Olly Alexander will not be performing on performances from Friday 7 to Thursday 13 November 2025.
Access
Captioned Performance: 18 November at 7pm, 3 January at 2pm, BSL Signed Performance: 22 November at 2pm , 11 December at 7pm. Audio Described Performance:27 November at 7pmRecent Reviews
Latest The Importance of Being Earnest News
News / Reviews / Features / New Shows + Transfers
The Importance of Being Earnest (Noël Coward Theatre) Review
High energy, high camp, and fabulously unhinged: Wilde’s wit is fully unbuttoned
There’s clearly an appetite for what I like to call ‘Light Neo-Regency/Victorian Smut’ right now, with Bridgerton fever still high and Dolly Alderton’s new take on Pride & Prejudice on the horizon. Into that neatly slips The Importance of Being Earnest at the Noël Coward Theatre—perfectly packaged up in a #FrockLit handbag and fully riding the ‘drawing room and cucumber sandwich core’ wave. Think parlour flirtations, lightly-laced petticoat wit and semi-scandalous corset comedy.
This is Max Webster’s camp, riotous production that won a slew of five-star reviews earlier this year at the National Theatre and the transfer has lost none of its sparkle. Oscar Wilde’s most famous comedy of manners—where bachelors John Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff create fictitious identities to escape social duties and pursue romance—unfolds here with irreverent flair. The plot may hinge on mistaken identities and secret engagements, but it’s the energy of this staging that polishes the dust from this drawing-room drama and keeps the audience far from snoozing.
1 Oct, 2025 | By Hay Brunsdon
News / Features / Photos
First Look: Rehearsal Pictures Revealed for The Importance of Being Earnest’s West End Transfer
Rehearsal pictures have been released for the National Theatre’s acclaimed production of The Importance of Being Earnest, which transfers to the Noël Coward Theatre for a limited season from 18 September 2025 to 10 January 2026.
Directed by Max Webster, this joyful reinvention of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy has been praised as a “bold and brash Wilde reboot” (★★★★ The Times) and a “sparkling new production” (★★★★★ Daily Mail).
4 Sep, 2025 | By Hay Brunsdon
Productions / Features
Top 5 West End shows for autumn/winter that you can book for now
As the evenings grow darker and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing quite like the magic of a West End theatre. Settling into your seat, the lights dim, and that anticipatory hush falls over the auditorium—there’s a thrill in knowing a story is about to unfold before your eyes. From dazzling musicals to gripping dramas, the West End offers the perfect escape this autumn and winter, wrapping you in warmth, wonder, and unforgettable performances.
2 Sep, 2025 | By Hay Brunsdon
News / Features / New Shows + Transfers
The Importance of Being Earnest Character Guide
Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest returns to London this autumn, transferring from its sold-out run at the National Theatre. Directed by Max Webster in a co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions, this sparkling revival brings Wilde’s wit and social satire to the Noël Coward Theatre, combining humour, romance, and a touch of mischief!
15 Aug, 2025 | By Hay Brunsdon
News / Features / Casting / New Shows + Transfers
Stephen Fry to star as Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest in the West End
The National Theatre has confirmed further casting for the West End transfer of its widely praised production of The Importance of Being Earnest.
Already announced in the role of Algernon Moncrieff is Olly Alexander. He’ll now be joined by Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Jack Worthing, Hugh Dennis as Rev. 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 as Lady Bracknell.
Described by The Times as a “bold and brash Wilde reboot” (★★★★), this riotous reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most famous comedy will play a strictly limited run at the Noël Coward Theatre from 18 September 2025 to 10 January 2026.
31 Jul, 2025 | By Hay Brunsdon
Features / Videos
Vlog: 5 Shows You MUST See This Summer!
Today, blogger and vlogger Shaun Nolan talks us through the top 5 shows that he thinks you should go and catch on the West End this summer, including Green Day’s American Idiot, The Importance of Being Earnest starring Poirot’s David Suchet and the London premiere of Kinky Boots. Have any other ideas of shows people should be seeing this summer?
30 Jul, 2015 | By Shaun Nolan
Reviews / Features
Review: The Importance Of Being Earnest Soon To Transfer To The West End's Vaudeville
Whilst I am an avid West End fan I also love to support my local theatre's one of which is the Mayflower Southampton. We get the privilege of seeing some fabulous touring companies and this particular play, The Importance Of Being Earnest starring David Suchet arrives at London's Vaudeville Theatre on the 24th June for a limited season. So what follows are my views from my recent visit to my local theatre.
10 Jun, 2015 | By Caroline Hanks-Farmer
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