The Show A trivial comedy for serious peopleThe National Theatre's sold-out production of The Importance of Being Earnesttransfers to the Noel Coward Theatre this Autumn, in a co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions.
Directed by Max Webster (Donmar's Macbeth; Life of Pi), this joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde's "glittering masterpiece" (The Telegraph) is a hilarious story of identity, impersonation, and romance.
Joining the previously announced Olly Alexander as Algernon Moncrieff are 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 adopts a similar facade.
Unfortunately, living a double life has its drawbacksâespecially 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.
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.
Theatre details
Noel Coward Theatre
Noel Coward Theatre 85-88 St Martin`s Lane London WC2N 4AU
Directions: (2 minutes from Leicester Square Tube Station) Head east on Cranbourn Street for 390 feet (towards Charing Cross Road). Turn right onto St Martin`s Lane and the theatre will be on your right hand side.
Tube: Leicester Square station is 1 minute walk (52 metres)
Noel Coward Theatre 85-88 St Martin`s Lane London WC2N 4AU
Closest Tube
Leicester Square station is 1 minute walk (52 metres)
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