The Importance Of Being Earnest
The National Theatre’s sold-out production of The Importance of Being Earnest transfers to the Noel Coward Theatre this Autumn, in a co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions.
Olly Alexander (It’s A Sin) plays Algernon Moncrieff in director Max Webster’s (Donmar’s Macbeth; Life of Pi) joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s ‘glittering masterpiece’ (Telegraph), a hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance.
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.
Audience Latest Reviews
Reviews Summary based on 141 reviews
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Wonderful Great experience and a thoroughly enjoyable evening made better by having read the book. However my daughter who was with me found the story easy to follow
Alison, 11 Nov 2025
An evening of pure comedy A great evening of comedy, quick white and modern inserts. The show did not let us down with amazing acting and performances.
Matthew, 10 Nov 2025
Wilde Camp Voice projection did vary though no problem hearing the sonorous Lady Bracknell as Stephen Fry.
My Acting stars above reflect somewhat on the campness of the production. Pantomime season has not started yet, this is Wilde, who was as the audience fully appreciate gay albeit not the epithet applied at the time. Acting straight can ironically highlight the language more than winking, nudging and gyrating, just short of winking at the front row.
But on the whole highly recommended just as Wilde wrote it to be enjoyed.
Melvin, 08 Nov 2025
Timeless Classic Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Ernest remains a timeless classic and this production captured its wit, charm, and humour with great success. The casting was particularly strong - each actor seemed perfectly suited to their role, bringing Wilde's sharp dialogue and eccentric characters to life.
The performance struck the right balance between elegance and absurdity. The cast handled Wilde's sophisticated comedy with confidence and style, ensuring that every quip and misunderstanding landed perfectly with the audience.
Sharon, 03 Nov 2025
Excellent adaptation of a classic Stephen Fry was magnificent and well supported by the other cast members. My only reservation is that some of the original wit was lost to unnecessary slapstick. But the set, costumes and otherwise droll delivery made up for that.
Stephanie, 03 Nov 2025
Joyous ! A joyous evening , filled with laughter, couldn’t fault any of the cast , it was a lovely treat, best play I have seen for ages . The casting was pure genius if you get a chance to go then do , you won’t be disappointed .
Jane, 31 Oct 2025
Old War Horse Doesn’t Hang Together Makes no sense, when Algenon is set up as gay, that he fall in love with Cecily. Seemed way over-cooked except for Lady Bracknell, who I thought was well done without being over the top. “In a handbag” was well done.
Penelope, 28 Oct 2025
A Must See Brilliantly acted!
Patricia, 28 Oct 2025
A Fun and Jubilant Production While the whole cast shined, Stephen Fry and Olly Alexander really lit up the stage in their roles.
We laughed throughout the play. This is a must see production.
Donald, 21 Oct 2025
Funny, charming, a vacation from normality Loved the show. Even if you don’t know the story it soon becomes clear. The pace starts slowly and then by act 2 we’re on full throttle.
The supporting cast are fabulous as are the main of course.
If you want to smile all night go see this show
Michele, 21 Oct 2025
Earnest - The Importance A tremendously entertaining show, very modern and up-to-date, with a great sense of fun together with British tradition
Doran, 18 Oct 2025
Great stuff Well acted by the whole cast, great story, great comedy, great costumes and beautiful theatre
Vivien, 18 Oct 2025
A joy to watch! An amazing interpretation of a classic play. The acting, staging and lighting were all first class.
Mike, 16 Oct 2025
Funny, creative, up to date I loved the show which was funny and amusing from the very first scene. The plot was faithful to the original and yet up-to-date.
He presence of Stephen Fry as Lady Bracknell added star quality. Happily, the cast matched his bravado and comic delivery exactly.
Charles, 12 Oct 2025
Excellent, also for non-native audience I had some reservations that the dialogue might be hard for non-native English speakers in the audience to keep up with. Nevertheless, it proved to be an exceptionally engaging and lucid performance.
Erik, 11 Oct 2025
Fabulous fun! A joyful celebration of diversity!
Susan, 09 Oct 2025
OTT update of a classic Introduces modern upbeat music, high camp and 21st century sexual innuendo, but it is Oscar Wilde's dialogue that gets the real laughs, well delivered by the actors. Non-speaking role of doddering servant gets the laughs too, well played, and maybe distracts from the main plot. Bright lively colours for the costumes and sets, lots of well-choreographed movement around the stage. Well worth seeing.
Susan, 06 Oct 2025
Brilliant acting, loved this adaptation. Brilliant acting in this show - great voices clearly heard and fun side communication with audience. We laughed a lot! Loved this take on the play.
Andrea, 05 Oct 2025
Brilliant just like Wilde was! Wonderful play. Worth travelling from Canada to see this. And Stephen Fry is always brilliant, just like O Wilde was.
Aida, 02 Oct 2025
The Importance of Being Ernest Excellent performance for all the family.
Joanne, 30 Sep 2025
Great funny show Great show but still can’t figure out what the into and curtain call sections were all about, was e petting th3 TellyTubbies to come on! For the rest of the play it’s funny and entertaining.
Dale, 29 Sep 2025
Not a personal taste I hope that I am not a purist for Oscar Wilde but I think the play is fairly specific for the time that it was written and I didn't find the approach taken very appealing. For me the nuances of character got lost in the declamatory style of the actors.
christine, 29 Sep 2025
Fab - u - lous I loved the show. A great adaptation of the original. Funny, fast and furious.
Younger theatre goers might find it useful to familiarise themselves with the story.
Lyn, 27 Sep 2025
Great fun brilliant actin Loved this play told an old iconic story with a modern touch. Thoroughly entertained.
Olly Alexander is amazing and Stephen Fry fitted the part so well.
Susan, 25 Sep 2025
BRIDGER ton meets Wilde A creative quirky twist on a classic with great acting from the whole cast. Bridgerton vibes that combine gender fluidity with Wildes timeless commentary on marriage. The finale is a treat! We loved it.
Georgina, 24 Sep 2025
Absolutely brilliant Absolutely superb performance by the whole cast, it was very entertaining.
Lesley, 23 Sep 2025
Utterly brilliant! Stunning interpretation of this classic! Excellent cast, set and costumes ..... just the pick me up I needed! Thank you so much!
Fiona, 19 Sep 2025
Fun, brilliant, inspiring & intelligent Loved it! Great acting, cast, comedy, sets, costumes. First time I fully understood this play! Loved the modern touches.
Sara, 19 Sep 2025
Amazing. Simply amazing. A great show. A great cast. David Suchet was as god in a female role, as in every male roles he has played. No less admirations for the rest of the cast. Amazingly talented actors, passionately performing a classical text, bringing something new in Wild's play. If you want to feel good, to laugh from heart, to see something greatly and masterly made - I recomend that it is IMPORTANT to see The Importance of Being Earnest.
Alexander Angelov
Alexander, 19 Sep 2015
wonderful! We loved this show, an absolute ensemble piece, but the standouts were Cicely and Algernon, brilliant to watch even when they weren't the focus of the scene, i'd recommend it to anyone who wants a laugh
Shelley, 03 Sep 2015
The Importance Of Being Suchet Forget his wonderful TV performances, David Suchet's stage presence is gargantuan. Having seen him on stage before, I knew what to expect, but this was absolutely terrific. These period pieces are sometimes difficult to find the humour in, not so this adaptation, I didn't realise how funny this play is. The (in the main) young cast must revel in the chance to 'up their game' competing against an old 'pro' like Suchet. From the Robert Downey Jnr lookalike, Philip Cumbus to another veteran, Michelle Dotrice, the cast gelled very nicely together. A wonderful experience, especially as it was a birthday treat for my Wife and me. Many thanks to those who brought it into being and those who performed it.
paul, 24 Aug 2015
Great acting! The play is taken to another level of enjoyment when the actors are so superb. Suchet is of course brilliant, but the rest of the cast gave insightful and witty interpretations.
Claire, 25 Jul 2015
Great entertainment The show was great fun to watch and the three set designs were quite impressive and really help to set the scene. The plot was very easy to follow and it was amusing watching the story unravel on stage
Henry, 20 Jul 2015
Genius writing deserves top class acting- and this is what you get. An absolute joy. This is a theatrical triumph from beginning to end. From perfect set, to fabulous costumes, and superb acting, transforming an 1895 classic into a modern gem. I had a smile on my face from beginning to end, as did my 13 year old son.Do not miss the opportunity to remind yourself of the true brilliance of a talented author. Inspiring.
Claire, 16 Jul 2015
A+ acting and witty script Two out of the four people in my party don't usually enjoy the theater, but all four of us enjoyed this show immensely. The witty script and comedic skills of the actors kept us all entertained up to the last minute. A fantastic choice for our London theater event.
Kathleen, 08 Jul 2015
A must see Super show & superb cast. Very funny. One of the best productions we have seen.
Narwinder, 02 Jul 2015
Great show This was a very good production headlined by David suchet who was excellent and along with a very good cast made for a thoroughly enjoying evening. I have never laughed so much as I did last night
Ian, 26 Jun 2015
