The National Theatre announces today that its sold-out, critically acclaimed production of The Importance of Being Earnest will transfer to the West End this autumn at the Noël Coward Theatre, from 18 September 2025 until 10 January 2026.
This ‘sparkling new production’ (★★★★★ Daily Mail) directed by Max Webster, is a joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy.
Actor and singer-songwriter, Olly Alexander (It’s a Sin, Channel 4; White Rabbit, Red Rabbit, @sohoplace) will play the role of Algernon Moncrieff in Webster’s ‘wildly exuberant, hot pink staging of The Importance of Being Earnest (★★★★ FT) with further casting to be announced.
Olly Alexander, singer, songwriter, actor, fashion icon and activist said:
“I’m over the moon to be returning to a West End stage to take on the fabulous role of Algernon Moncrieff in Oscar Wilde’s most fun and favoured play. I’ve always hugely admired Wilde – he’s a true icon, not only a hugely successful and influential 19th century writer but also a trailblazing queer artist who fearlessly pushed against the expectations of society. He was a pioneer of LGBTQ+ rights before such a thing existed and I’m so excited and proud to get the chance to inhabit his work.”
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 to The Importance of Being Earnest
Olly Alexander is a singer, songwriter, actor and producer. Other screen work includes The Riot Club (Universal Pictures), Bright Star (Warner Bros) and Skins (E4). Other theatre work includes Peter and Alice (West End), The Aliens (Bush Theatre) and Mercury Fur (Old Red Lion/Trafalgar Studios).
Between 2010–2023, Olly Alexander performed and recorded music under the name Years & Years. As Years & Years, he achieved two number one UK albums, ten UK Top 40 singles, was nominated for six BRIT Awards, and awarded the BRIT Billion Award.
Max Webster is an award-winning theatre director, specialising in spectacular new work, opera and live music events. Recent acclaimed productions include Macbeth (Donmar Warehouse/West End), Life of Pi (Sheffield Theatres/West End/Broadway), Henry V (Donmar Warehouse) and The Lorax (Old Vic). He was Associate Director at the Old Vic from 2015 until 2019 and at the Donmar Warehouse from 2020 until 2024.
‘This exuberant production (★★★★ The i) also features set and costume designer Rae Smith, lighting designer Jon Clark, sound designer Nicola T. Chang, movement director Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, composer DJ Walde, physical comedy advisor Joyce Henderson, intimacy coordinator Ingrid Mackinnon, casting director Alastair Coomer CDG, dialect coach Hazel Holder and voice coach Shereen Ibrahim in the creative team.
Webster’s ‘Wilde party of irresistible anarchic charm’ (★★★★ The Guardian) was first performed in the Lyttelton Theatre from 21 November 2024 until 25 January 2025. Following a sold-out run at the National Theatre, it was subsequently released to cinemas worldwide through National Theatre Live. Over 165,000 people in the UK have watched ‘this joyous production’ (★★★★ The i).
Additional information about The Importance of Being Earnest
Booking until
Thursday 18 September 2025 – Saturday 10 January 2026
Show Times
Mondays – Saturday, 7pm
2pm matinee performances on Thursdays and Saturdays
Running Time
2 hours 45mins
Theatre
Noël Coward Theatre
Age Recommendation
TBC
Access Performances
Captioned Performances: Tuesday 18 November 2025 at 7pm & Saturday 3 January 2026 at 2pm
Audio Described Performances: Thursday 27 November 2025 at 7pm & Saturday 13 December 2025 at 2pm
BSL Performances: Saturday 22 November 2025 at 2pm & Thursday 11 December at 7pm
