The Importance of Being Earnest Tickets
About The Importance of Being Earnest
Don’t miss The Importance of Being Earnest making a reappearance in the West End for a limited season at the Noël Coward Theatre. Written by Oscar Wilde, this exciting staging is being directed by Max Webster (Life of Pi, Macbeth, To Kill a Mockingbird). Book The Importance of Being Earnest tickets on Today Tix.
Leading the talented cast is BAFTA-nominated Olly Alexander (Peter and Alice, Mercury Fur, The Aliens), alongside Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Hugh Dennis, Shobna Gulati, and Kitty Hawthorne. Stephen Fry returns to the stage, starring in the role of Lady Bracknell, bringing with him his incredible stage presence.
Together, the talented cast tells the tale of Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff as they wade through a tangled web of deceit, secret identities, and steamy romance.
The Importance of Being Earnest in London delivers hilarious characters, exciting twists and turns, and a timeless narrative of identity and social obligation. Wilde’s exceptional storytelling, coupled with an incredible cast and Webster’s direction, makes this staging of The Importance of Being Earnest as captivating and charming as ever.
Run time
2hr 45min. Incl. 1 interval.
Venue
Categories
Start date
18th September, 2025
End date
10th January, 2026
The Importance of Being Earnest cast and creative team
Director: Max Webster
Cast: Olly Alexander as Algernon Moncrieff, 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.
Venue
Directions
Location: West End
Railway station: Charing Cross
Bus numbers: (Charing Cross) 24, 29, 176; (Strand) 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 87, 91, 139
Night bus numbers: (Charing Cross) 24, 176, N5, N20, N29, N41, N279; (Strand) 6, 23, 139, N9, N15, N11, N13, N21, N26, N44, N47, N87, N89, N91, N155, N343, N551
Car park: St Martin's Lane Hotel (1min)
Directions from tube: (2mins) Take Cranbourn Street away from Leicester Square until St Martin’s Lane, where you head right until you reach the theatre.
More information about The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest is a play that premiered in 1895 and was considered one of Oscar Wilde’s greatest works. Now, more than a century later, audiences worldwide continue to fall in love with its comedic takes on social expectations, romance, and the stories we tell others about ourselves.
This bold new production, directed by Max Webster (The Life of Pi, Macbeth, To Kill a Mockingbird), offers audiences an invigorated vision of Wilde’s beloved show.
“When you read it, it’s got some of the most amazing lines in the English language, and it’s complicated and rich and psychological. One of the things I wanted to do is really help the audience listen to the play, and to shape it so you hear it afresh.” Webster explained.
Whether you are already familiar with this piece of theatre, or you’re stumbling upon it for the first time, The Importance of Being Earnest is a must-see.
In a glowing review of the National Theatre staging, The Daily Mail said that it’s a “Sparkling new production… that’s fiercely faithful to Wilde’s wickedly subversive spirit.”
What to watch for
- The Importance of Being Earnest has been adapted into film three times, once in 1952, 1992, and again in 2002.
- Wilde coined the term ‘bunburying’ in The Importance of Being Earnest, a word used to describe the act of leading a double life.
- Stephen Fry has long been associated with Oscar Wilde, as he played Wilde in the 1997 film Wilde, making his presence in The Importance of Being Earnest a full-circle moment.
- The Importance of Being Earnest marks Olly Alexander’s first major West End appearance since his BAFTA nomination.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Importance of Being Earnest about?
Don’t miss Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest as it returns to the West End in a stunning re-imagining directed by Max Webster. Starring Olly Alexander (Peter and Alice, The Aliens) and Stephen Fry (A Bit of Fry & Laurie) at the Noël Coward Theatre. This show tells the story of two young men who catch themselves in a web of lies and deceit after creating alter egos to evade societal expectations.
How do you get tickets for The Importance of Being Earnest?
Check the top of this page for current availability and exclusive offers on The Importance of Being Earnest tickets on TodayTix.
What is the running time of The Importance of Being Earnest?
The Importance of Being Earnest runs for 2hr 45min. Incl. 1 interval.
Which theatre is The Importance of Being Earnest at?
The Importance of Being Earnest is at London's Noël Coward Theatre, which is located at 85-88 St Martin's Lane, London, WC2N 4AU.
How much are tickets for The Importance of Being Earnest?
The Importance of Being Earnest tickets start at £28.
Who wrote The Importance of Being Earnest?
Oscar Wilde wrote the play.
Who directed The Importance of Being Earnest?
Max Webster directs the show.
Is The Importance of Being Earnest appropriate for kids?
There is not currently an age guideline for the show but be aware it contains strong language, as well as themes and scenes of suggestive content.
Is The Importance of Being Earnest good?
The Importance of Being Earnest is a beloved comedy that continues to make audiences laugh over a century since it first premiered in 1895. This new adaptation showcases Max Webster’s fresh take on this classic and promises to be an enjoyable viewing experience for audiences.
