The National's dramatically reimagined revival of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest has transferred to the Noël Coward Theatre in London's West End for a limited engagement through January 10, 2026. A co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions, the revival is being directed by Max Webster. Get a first look at newly released production shots in the gallery below.

Actor and singer-songwriter Olly Alexander (It’s a Sin) stars as Algernon Moncrieff, joined by Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Jack Worthing, Hugh Dennis as Rev. 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.

The company is completed by ensemble and understudy members Jasmine Kerr, Sam Liu, Gillian McCafferty, Elliot Pritchard, and Liv Spencer.

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Photos: The Importance of Being Earnest in the West End

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The creative team also features set and costume designer Rae Smith, lighting designer Jon Clark, sound designer Nicola T. Chang, movement director Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, composer D.J. Walde, physical comedy advisor Joyce Henderson, intimacy coordinator Ingrid Mackinnon, casting director Alastair Coomer, and voice and dialect coach Kate Godfrey.

Webster’s production was performed in the National's Lyttelton Theatre last winter prior to a worldwide cinematic release through National Theatre Live.

The National Theatre production co-produced with Sonia Friedman Productions is presented in association with No Guarantees, Playing Field, and Winkler & Smalberg.

Visit EarnestOnStage.com.