The Importance of Being Earnest
A trivial comedy for serious people
The National Theatre’s sold-out production of The Importance of Being Earnesttransfers to the Noël Coward Theatre this Autumn, in a co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions.
Directed by Max Webster (Donmar’s Macbeth; Life of Pi), this joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s “glittering masterpiece” (The Telegraph) is a hilarious story of identity, impersonation, and romance.
Joining the previously announced Olly Alexander as Algernon Moncrieff are Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Jack Worthing, Hugh Dennis as Reverend 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.
“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 adopts 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.
Captioned:
- Tuesday, 18th November, 7:00pm
- Saturday, 3rd January, 2:00pm
Audio Described:
- Thursday, 27th November, 7:00pm
- Saturday, 13th December, 2:00pm
BSL Signed:
- Saturday, 22nd November, 2:00pm
- Thursday, 11th December, 7:00pm
Important Information
This production contains strong language, suggestive content, and smoke and haze.Performance Times
Now taking bookings for performances up until Sat 10th January 2026.
Show times for each day are below.
Mon
7.00pm
Tue
7.00pm
Wed
7.00pm
Thu
2.00pm
7.00pm
Fri
7.00pm
Sat
2.00pm
7.00pm
Sun
-
Noel Coward Theatre Details
Bus routes: (Charing Cross) 24, 29, 176; (Strand) 6, 9, 11, 13, 15, 23, 87, 91, 139
Night buses: (Charing Cross) 24, 176, N5, N20, N29, N41, N279; (Strand) 6, 23, 139, N9, N15, N11, N13, N21, N26, N44, N47, N87, N89, N91, N155, N343, N551
Nearest rail: Charing Cross
Tube lines: Piccadilly, Northern
Nearest tube: Leicester Square
Directions
from Leicester Square :
(2mins) Take Cranbourn Street away from Leicester Square until St Martin’s Lane, where you head right until you reach the theatre.
Car park: St Martin's Lane Hotel (1min)
In congestion zone?: Yes
Facilities at Noel Coward Theatre
Air conditioned
Bar
Disabled toilets
Infrared hearing loop
Toilets
Wheelchair accessible
Noel Coward Theatre Location
Please note: The location shown on the map is an approximate location of the theatre. In the majority of cases the theatre will be marked on the map so please make sure you locate the exact location yourself. If the theatre is not shown on the map please make sure you locate the correct road name and take account of the directions.
The Importance of Being Earnest
Noel Coward Theatre, London
Running until: Sat 10th January 2026
Running time: 2hr 45min. Incl. 1 interval.