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Owned

A trivial comedy for serious people.

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.

The Importance of Being Earnest - LON [44522]

The Importance of Being Earnest

LON | All Retailers | 1440x580 Hero | The Importance of Being Earnest | 44522

LON | The Importance of Being Earnest | 44522

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Poster of The Importance of Being Earnest in London


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*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](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatre-news/interviews/director-max-webster-the-importance-of-being-earnest-macbeth-david-tennant-ncuti-gatwa). 

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](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-14138167/Oscar-Wildes-national-treasure-witty-reboot-PATRICK-MARMION-reviews.html) 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.

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The Importance of Being Earnest - LON - TT Override 

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.


Be brought back into the world of Oscar Wilde’s most timeless comedy, *The Importance of Being Earnest*, staged by Max Webster (*The Life of Pi, Macbeth, To Kill a Mockingbird*), this beloved comedy is being revived at the Noël Coward Theatre. Book *The Importance of Being Earnest* tickets on London Theatre.

*The Importance of Being Earnest* is a play that premiered in 1895 and remains an unrivalled piece of English comedy. Wilde’s masterpiece is both a sharp satire of Victorian society and an excellent exploration of romance, double lives, and a case of mistaken identity. 

Director Max Webster (*Life of Pi, Macbeth, To Kill a Mockingbird*) breathes fresh life into this timeless tale, which centers on Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, a pair of young men who create alter-egos in order to shirk societal expectations. They quickly find themselves caught in an ever-growing web of deception, especially once beloved Lady Bracknell enters the picture.

*The Importance of Being Earnest* in London includes a remarkable cast. BAFTA-nominated actor Olly Alexander (*Peter and Alice, Mercury Fur,The Aliens*) is accompanied by Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Jack Worthing, as well as notable talents Hugh Dennis, Shobna Gulati, Kitty Hawthorne, Jessica Whitehurst, and Hayley Carmichael. And in the unforgettable performance, Stephen Fry steps into the shoes of Lady Bracknell. 

This revival also brings together an extraordinary team of creatives, including set and costume designer Rae Smith, lighting designer Jon Clark, sound designer Nicola T. Chang, movement director Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, composer DJ Walde, and intimacy coordinator Ingrid Mackinnon. Under Max Webster’s direction, their work promises a production that is both visually compelling and musically enthralling, beautifully capturing Wilde’s wit.

With Wilde’s unmatched writing, coupled with a noteworthy cast, and Webster’s compelling direction, this adaptation of T*he Importance of Being Earnest* promises to be as funny and engaging as ever.

__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.__


The importance of being Earnest - LON - LT Override 

Be brought back into the world of Oscar Wilde’s most timeless comedy, *The Importance of Being Earnest*, directed by Max Webster *(The Life of Pi, Macbeth, To Kill a Mockingbird*), this beloved comedy is being revived at the Noël Coward Theatre. See BAFTA nominated Olly Alexander (*Peter and Alice, Mercury Fur, The Aliens*) as Algernon Moncrieff.

Olly Alexander is starring in *The Importance of Being Earnest* in the West End.

Alexander is best known for his performance in the Channel 4 series *It's a Sin*, as well as his music career in the band *Years & Years*. He made his West End debut alongside Judi Dench and Ben Whishaw in *Peter and Alice* in 2013 and, in 2024, he performed in *White Rabbit, Red Rabbit* at @sohoplace. That same year, he starred in the Eurovision song contest.

He is a passionate LGBTQ+ campaigner.

Olly Alexander - LON

olly alexander 200x200

Stephen Fry is a British actor, writer and journalist known for his work including hosting the popular British quiz show QI,&nbsp;his comedy sketch show with Hugh Laurie -&nbsp;A Bit of Fry &amp; Laurie&nbsp;- and voicing the audiobook series of the Harry Potter books.&nbsp;

He is currently starring as Lady Bracknell in *The Importance of Being Earnest* in the West End.

On stage, he has written and performed in a number of productions. In London, his biggest hit has been his performance as Malvolio in Twelfth Night at <a href="/theatres/shakespeares-globe-theatre">Shakespeare's Globe</a> in 2012. Directed by&nbsp;Tim Carroll, Fry starred alongside <a href="/actor-profile/mark-rylance">Mark Rylance</a> and the production transferred to Broadway, where Fry was nominated for the Tony Award for&nbsp;Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play.&nbsp;&nbsp;In 2019, Fry starred in a three-part stage adaptation of his book Mythos.&nbsp;

Stephen Fry - LON

Stephen Fry is a British actor, writer and journalist known for his work including hosting the popular British quiz show QI, his comedy sketch show with Hugh Laurie - A Bit of Fry &amp; Laurie - and voicing the audiobook series of the Harry Potter books.

Stephen Fry - Stars on Stage | London Theatre

Stephen-Fry-124x124px

Nathan Stewart-Jarrett is starring in The *Importance of Being Earnest* in the West End.

He is known by many for his breakthrough roles in E4's *Misfits* and the Channel 4 series *Utopia*. On screen, he has also starred in *The Comedian* (2012), *War Book* (2014), *Mope* (2019), *Candyman* (2021), *Femme* (2023), and *Black Doves* (2024).

On stage, Stewart-Jarrett was in the National Theatre and Broadway cast for *Angels in America*, having made his West End debut in 2007 in *The History Boys*.

Nathan Stewart-Jarrett - LON

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Hugh Dennis is starring in *The Importance of Being Earnest* in the West End.

The comedian and actor starred in every episode of the comedy show *Mock the Week* until 2022 and has acted in sitcoms including *My Hero, Outnumbered,* and *Not Going Out*, as well as the comedy-drama series *Fleabag*.

Dennis's previous stage credits include West End comedy *The Messiah*.

Hugh Dennis - LON

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Hayley Carmichael is starring in *The Importance of Being Earnest* in the West End.

Her other stage work includes *The New Tenant, King Lear, Bliss, Theatre of Blood*, and *The Dispute*. She is also co-founder of British theatre company *Told by an Idiot*.

Hayley Carmichael - LON

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Shobna Gulati is starring in *The Importance of Being Earnest* in the West End.

She has previously starred in *A Tupperware of Ashes* for the National Theatre, as well as *Everybody's Talking About Jamie* in the West End and on tour. On screen, *Mr Bigstuff, Vera, Inside No. 9, Brassic, Coronation Street,* and *EastEnders*.

Shobna Gulati - LON

Shobna Gulati 200x200

Kitty Hawthorne is starring in *The Importance of Being Earnest* in the West End.

She has previously starred in *Kerry Jackson* for the National Theatre and, on screen, *Your Friends & Neighbours* and *Dead Ringers*.

Kitty Hawthorne - LON

Kitty Hawthorne 200x200

Jessica Whitehurst is starring in *The Importance of Being Earnest* in the West End.

Her other theatre includes *Cyrano* at the Traverse and Park Theatre; *The Comedy of Errors* at Shakespeare’s Globe; *Nine Night* at Leeds Playhouse; and *COCK* at the Ambassadors Theatre.

On screen, she has appeared in *Grace, Sherwood, Ridley, Casualty,* and *The Baby*.

Jessica Whitehurst - LON

Jessica Whitehurst 200x200

Slave Play - LON [40715]

Slave Play

At the MacGregor Plantation the Old South is alive and well. The heat in the air, the cotton fields and the power of the whip. Yet nothing is quite as it appears… or maybe it is.

**Noël Coward Theatre** is a popular venue in the heart of London that continues to draw audiences with its excellent choice of productions. This theatre is a prominent part of London's cultural fabric and has been a part of the city's arts scene since its opening in 1903. Named after the renowned playwright, Noël Coward, it was formerly known as the Albery Theatre. The theatre has a remarkable capacity of 872 seats, offering a fascinating range of viewing experiences. The venue is well-known for its diverse productions, ranging from musicals to classic plays and modern dramas. Past productions include 'Half a Sixpence', 'The Vortex', and 'Deathtrap'. The Theatre's design is a delightful blend of tradition and modernity, mirroring the diverse array of productions it hosts. The richly decorated interior adds to the sensory experience, making viewing a performance here a complete theatrical event. 

 **How to Get There** 
 The theatre is located in St Martin's Lane, a short walk from Leicester Square and Covent Garden tube stations. This makes the venue quite easily accessible by public transportation. There are also numerous bus routes which stop nearby. For patrons driving to the venue, there is a car park nearby in Chinatown. The theatre also offers bicycle racks for those who prefer to cycle.

Noël Coward Theatre - LON

Noel Coward Theatre

Noël Coward Theatre

Noël Coward Theatre - TodayTix

The Noël Coward Theatre opened as the New Theatre on 12 Mar. 1903. In 1973, the theatre’s name was changed from the New Theatre to the Albery Theatre, as a tribute to the theatre’s long-serving manager Sir Bronson Albery. Sir Cameron Mackintosh acquired the theatre through his company, Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, in 2005 and renamed the theatre in memory of the famous playwright, Noel Coward.

The theatre famously played host to two theatre companies whose theatres were destroyed during the Blitz – the [Old Vic](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/old-vic-theatre) and [Sadler’s Wells](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/theatres/sadlers-wells) both performed at the theatre until their new theatres were built in the 1950s. 

The theatre also played host to the premiere of Lionel Bart’s world famous musical *Oliver!* The show was a huge success, running for 2,618 performances.

Several notable actors have appeared in productions at the theatre, including [Judi Dench](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/judi-dench), [Helen Mirren](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/helen-mirren) and [Patrick Stewart](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/actor-profile/patrick-stewart). 

## Noël Coward Theatre Seating Information

The auditorium has four levels - Stalls, Royal Circle, Grand Circle and Balcony.

The Stalls offers excellent views throughout. The high setting of the stage allows for good views.

The view from the Royal Circle is completely unobstructed and the seating is well raked.

The Grand Circle is set fairly high, but again offers unobstructed views of the stage. 

Whilst the Balcony is high, the seats are well raked and comfortable with a good amount of legroom.

Noël Coward Theatre - London Theatre

Opened in 1903, the Noël Coward Theatre, previously New Theatre and Albery Theatre, hosted various theatre companies and famous productions like 'Oliver!'. Actors include Judi Dench and Helen Mirren.

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The Noël Coward Theatre is a prominent London venue known for diverse theatrical productions; accessible via public transportation, parking, and cycle.

Olly Alexander's past shows