Olly Alexander and the cast of The Importance of Being Earnest are now on stage at the Noël Coward Theatre, following the West End transfer of the National Theatre production.
Running until January 10, 2026, Alexander plays play the role of Algernon Moncrieff with 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. Jasmine Kerr, Sam Liu, Gillian McCafferty, Elliot Pritchard and Liv Spencer complete the cast as ensemble and understudy members.
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 takes on a similar facade.
Unfortunately, living a double life has its drawbacks, especially 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.
Directed by Max Webster, this “joyful and flamboyant” reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s comedy boasts a creative team including set and costume designer Rae Smith, lighting designer Jon Clark, sound designer Nicola T Chang, movement director Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, composer DJ Walde and casting director Alastair Coomer.
They are joined by associate director Aaliyah McKay, associate set designer Tim Blazdell, associate costume designer Johanna Coe, associate lighting designer Hector Murray and associate sound designer Chris Reid. Completing the creative team are physical comedy advisor Joyce Henderson, intimacy coordinator Ingrid Mackinnon and voice and dialect coach Kate Godfrey.
It is a National Theatre production co-produced with Sonia Friedman Productions, No Guarantees, Winkler & Smalberg and Playing Field.
Tickets here.
Top image: Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Olly Alexander, Kitty Hawthorne and Jessica Whitehurst in West End transfer of The Importance of Being Earnest © Marc Brenner (all images supplied)