The Importance of Being Earnest to transfer to the West End with Olly Alexander

The National Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest will transfer to the West End.

Oscar Wilde’s treasured comedy about hidden identities, cucumber sandwiches and unexpected romances will open at the Noël Coward Theatre this autumn, in a co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions.

Following a sold-out run at the National Theatre and a cinema broadcast through National Theatre Live (where it starred Ncuti Gatwa and Sharon D Clarke), the show will begin performances on 18 September 2025 and continue until 10 January 2026. Over 20,000 tickets will be available for under £30 across the run, with general booking opening at midday on Monday 16 June.

Directed by Max Webster, the production will feature Olly Alexander in the role of Algernon Moncrieff. Further casting is to be announced.

Webster, who recently directed Macbeth at the Donmar Warehouse and Life of Pi in both the West End and on Broadway, leads a creative team that includes set and costume designer Rae Smith, lighting designer Jon Clark, sound designer Nicola T Chang, movement director Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, and composer DJ Walde. Additional team members include physical comedy advisor Joyce Henderson, intimacy coordinator Ingrid Mackinnon, casting director Alastair Coomer, dialect coach Hazel Holder and voice coach Shereen Ibrahim.

You can listen to Sonia Friedman on the latest episode of the WhatsOnStage Podcast – all for free – here: