London's National Theatre's dramatically reimagined revival of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, which concluded its limited engagement January 25, will transfer to the West End this fall.
A co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions, the Max Webster-directed staging will begin performances September 18 at the No毛l Coward Theatre for a limited engagement through January 10, 2026. Tickets will go on sale to the general public June 16.
Actor and singer-songwriter Olly Alexander (It鈥檚 a Sin; White Rabbit, Red Rabbit; The Riot Club; Peter and Alice) will play the role of Algernon Moncrieff, the part played by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) during the winter engagement.
In a statement Alexander said, 鈥淚鈥檓 over the moon to be returning to a West End stage to take on the fabulous role of Algernon Moncrieff in Oscar Wilde鈥檚 most fun and favored play. I鈥檝e always hugely admired Wilde鈥攈e鈥檚 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鈥檓 so excited and proud to get the chance to inhabit his work.鈥�
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.鈥�
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, dialect coach Hazel Holder, and voice coach Shereen Ibrahim.
Webster鈥檚 production was performed in the Lyttelton Theatre prior to a worldwide cinematic release through National Theatre Live.
The cast of the original production also featured Sharon D Clarke (Death of a Salesman) as Lady Bracknell, Ronk岷� Ad茅k峄峫u岷固乯峄嵦� (Blues for an Alabama Sky) as Gwendolen Fairfax, Julian Bleach (Doctor Who) as Lane and Merriman, Richard Cant (Stan & Ollie) as Reverend Canon Chasuble, Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) as Algernon Moncrieff, Amanda Lawrence (Star Wars: Episode 鈥� IX The Rise of Skywalker) as Miss Prism, Eliza Scanlen (Little Women) as Cecily Cardew, and Hugh Skinner (W1A) as Jack Worthing with ensemble members Shereener Browne (The Effect), Jasmine Kerr (Follies), Gillian McCafferty (The Rise & Fall of Little Voice), Elliot Pritchard (Museum of Austerity), and John Vernon (Coriolanus).
Look back at the National engagement in the gallery below.
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Ncuti Gatwa in The Importance of Being Earnest
Company of The Importance of Being Earnest
Ncuti Gatwa and company of The Importance of Being Earnest
Company of The Importance of Being Earnest
Sharon D Clarke, Amanda Lawrence, Ncuti Gatwa, and Eliza Scanlen in The Importance of Being Earnest
Sharon D Clarke in The Importance of Being Earnest
Sharon D Clarke in The Importance of Being Earnest
Sharon D Clarke and Ncuti Gatwa in The Importance of Being Earnest
Ronke蹋 Ade虂ko蹋lue蹋虂jo蹋虂, Hugh Skinner, Eliza Scanlen, and Ncuti Gatwa in The Importance of Being Earnest
Ronke蹋 Ade虂ko蹋lue蹋虂jo蹋虂 in The Importance of Being Earnest
Ronke蹋 Ade虂ko蹋lue蹋虂jo蹋虂 and Eliza Scanlen in The Importance of Being Earnest
Richard Cant, Ronke蹋 Ade虂ko蹋lue蹋虂jo蹋虂, Eliza Scanlen, Sharon D Clarke, and Ncuti Gatwa in The Importance of Being Earnest
Amanda Lawrence and Richard Cant in The Importance of Being Earnest
Ncuti Gatwa in The Importance of Being Earnest
Ncuti Gatwa in The Importance of Being Earnest
Ncuti Gatwa in The Importance of Being Earnest
Ncuti Gatwa and Hugh Skinner in The Importance of Being Earnest
Ncuti Gatwa and Hugh Skinner in The Importance of Being Earnest
Julian Bleach in The Importance of Being Earnest
Hugh Skinner, Sharon D Clarke, Ncuti Gatwa, and Eliza Scanlen in The Importance of Being Earnest
Hugh Skinner in The Importance of Being Earnest
Hugh Skinner and Ronke蹋 Ade虂ko蹋lue蹋虂jo蹋虂 in The Importance of Being Earnest
Hugh Skinner and Ncuti Gatwa in The Importance of Being Earnest
Eliza Scanlen in The Importance of Being Earnest
