
Performance dates
18 September 2025 - 10 January 2026
Run time: 2hrs 45mins
Includes interval
Top Rated Show
Reviewers highly rate this show
179 reviews
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.
Please note: Olly Alexander will not be performing on performances from Friday 7 to Thursday 13 November 2025.
Fantastic performance, the cast was very strong and it’s hard to say which was our favourite moment. Oscar Wilde plays are always laugh out loud funny, but the direction embellished this amazing work. Highly recommended for anyone who needs a good laugh.
While I truly loved seeing Stephen Fry as Lady Bracknell, I was in general rather underwhelmed by this show. The production as a whole felt like it had gone off the boil compared with the original cast from last year. A great deal of the wit and the comedy that is so richly abundant in the text was lost due to poor timing and a lot of overcooking. It felt stale and overdone. The scenes involving Lane and Merryman were also highly disappointing. These minor characters, offer so much scope for a spot of silliness - but sadly not in this production. I really wanted to love this show, but sadly it missed it's mark.
I love theater and try to go whenever I can afford a good play and have the opportunity. Unfortunately, I do not live in London or UK but when I am in London I try to see as much as possible. This is one of the best plays I have ever seen in my last 40 years of theater visits. The "Stephen Fry" who is magnificent to the smallest detail of her character. And the others, every single person in this play is equally worthy of my money. The best cast, please forgive me if I do not write out each name. I have not a favorite because you are all "excellent" in this play. Thank You. I wish I had more time. I would have come back for a second performance.
I saw this amazing production yesterday and was blown away with this very different interpretation of this great play ! The very strong cast gave such unique and interesting characterisations so that I was entranced all the way through the running ! Well Done to all involved .
Fabulous production with top actors. Hilarious moments and significant camp overtones.
Wonderful performances from the whole cast, superb sets and costumes. A real triumph.
The scenery was lovely The play was ruined by all the mannered performances (except for Stephen Fry) and the indications to the audience. MORE but it wouldn’t help
An absolutely brilliant production of this historic play - loved it!
Excellent t laughed from the beginning to the end
Great show!
Excellent sets, costumes & laughs Olly Alexander was a treat, loved his roll, Stephen Fry was perfect casting for Lady Bracknell
This play was magnificent from beginning to end! Brought out the total humour of Oscar Wilde's writing. No weak actor among the cast- great ensemble acting. A total thumbs up from me!!
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