Casting is now complete for the West End transfer of London's National Theatre's dramatically reimagined revival of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, which concluded its limited engagement January 25.

A co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions, the Max Webster-directed staging will begin performances September 18 at the Noël Coward Theatre for a limited engagement through January 10, 2026. 

Actor and singer-songwriter Olly Alexander (It’s a Sin), as previously reported, will play the role of Algernon Moncrieff, the part played by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) during the winter engagement.

Alexander will be joined by the newly announced 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.

In an earlier statement Alexander said, “I’m over the moon to be returning to a West End stage to take on the fabulous role of Algernon Moncrieff in Oscar Wilde’s most fun and favored play. I’ve always hugely admired Wilde—he’s a true icon, not only a hugely successful and influential 19th-century writer but also a trailblazing queer artist who fearlessly pushed against the expectations of society. He was a pioneer of LGBTQ+ rights before such a thing existed and I’m so excited and proud to get the chance to inhabit his work.”

Director Webster added, "I am ecstatic that The Importance of Being Earnest is transferring to the West End starring the brilliant Olly Alexander this September for a winter run. The creative team and I really wanted to honor Oscar Wilde's life and work and celebrate his legendary wit, fabulousness, and imaginative freedom with this production. We found that the play felt amazingly fresh and contemporary, and there was an incredible audience response night after night during its original run at the National Theatre. I can't wait to share this production again, with audiences in the West End, and am especially excited to work with Olly who I am certain will create a new and fabulous take on Wilde's iconic character Algenon Moncreiff.”

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 DJ Walde, physical comedy advisor Joyce Henderson, intimacy coordinator Ingrid Mackinnon, casting director Alastair Coomer, and dialect coach Hazel Holder.

Webster’s production was performed in the Lyttelton Theatre 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.

Look back at the National engagement in the gallery below.

Visit EarnestOnStage.com.

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Photos: Ncuti Gatwa, Sharon D Clarke, More in The Importance of Being Earnest at The National Theatre

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