The National Theatre’s acclaimed production of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest, is set for a West End transfer later this year, with further casting details revealed. Joining Olly Alexander, who reprises his role as Algernon Moncrieff, will be Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Jack Worthing and Stephen Fry taking on the formidable role of Lady Bracknell. Casting for the handbag is yet to be announced.
The production, directed by Max Webster, will run at the Noël Coward Theatre from 18 September 2025 to 10 January 2026. It follows a sold-out engagement at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton stage between November 2024 and January 2025. The play has been praised for its energetic and contemporary approach to Wilde’s most celebrated work, with critics highlighting its blend of flamboyance and sharp wit.
Joining the leading trio of Alexander, Stewart-Jarrett, and Fry are Hugh Dennis as Rev. Canon Chasuble, Shobna Gulati from Coronation Street and dinnerladies as Miss Prism, Kitty Hawthorne as Gwendolen Fairfax, Jessica Whitehurst as Cecily Cardew, and Hayley Carmichael in dual roles of Merriman and Lane.
Fry, whose career has long been touched by Wilde’s influence, expressed enthusiasm for the role, describing Earnest as a life-changing experience that introduced him to the power of language at a young age. His casting brings a notable theatrical gravitas to the production, enhancing its appeal to traditional Wilde enthusiasts and new audiences alike.
Max Webster, who has previously directed acclaimed productions such as Macbeth and Life of Pi, has sought to reframe Wilde’s comedy as a lively and subversive piece that resonates with modern sensibilities. His interpretation has been described as a “bold and brash Wilde reboot,” marrying the original’s elegance with a contemporary irreverence.
The story revolves around two friends, Jack and Algernon, who lead double lives and the complications that ensue as they pursue romantic interests under false pretences. Wilde’s satire of Victorian social conventions and the frivolities of the upper class remains sharply relevant, serving as fertile ground for this vigorous reinterpretation.
Following its National Theatre success and subsequent cinematic release via National Theatre Live, which has reached over 165,000 UK viewers, the West End run offers broad accessibility, with more than 20,000 tickets priced under £30.
