The National Theatre has revealed the full cast for its West End transfer of The Importance of Being Earnest, with rehearsals now underway.
Olly Alexander will star as Algernon Moncrieff, joined by Nathan Stewart-Jarrett as Jack Worthing, Hugh Dennis as Rev. Canon Chasuble, and Shobna Gulati as Miss Prism.
Kitty Hawthorne plays Gwendolen Fairfax, Jessica Whitehurst takes on the role of Cecily Cardew, and Hayley Carmichael appears as Merriman/Lane. Stephen Fry will portray the formidable Lady Bracknell.
The ensemble and understudy cast includes Jasmine Kerr, Sam Liu, Gillian McCafferty, Elliot Pritchard, and Liv Spencer.
Directed by Max Webster, this “bold and brash Wilde reboot” (★★★★ The Times) will run at the Noël Coward Theatre from 18 September 2025 to 10 January 2026, in a co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions.
Webster’s “sparkling new production” (★★★★★ Daily Mail) reimagines Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy with flamboyant flair and anarchic charm.
“Oscar Wilde was a master of elegance, rebellion, and razor-sharp wit,” said Max Webster. “With this cast – led by the audacious brilliance of Olly Alexander, the hugely captivating Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and the legendary Stephen Fry as Lady Bracknell – we’re embracing the play’s subversive heart in a way that feels utterly now. I’d like to think Wilde would be delighted – and perhaps even a little scandalised – by this bold, joyful take on his most iconic comedy.”
Stephen Fry added, “I was delighted to be asked by Max Webster to join his jubilant National Theatre production and play the formidable Lady Bracknell in the West End. Oscar Wilde has been a hugely important figure in my life and career and The Importance of Being Earnest is a play that changed my life when I first saw it aged 10. It made me understand what language can do and absolutely transported me. Wilde is a beacon to people who still believe in open thinking and adventuring with the mind and spirit.”
The creative team includes Rae Smith (set and costume design), Jon Clark (lighting), Nicola T. Chang (sound), Carrie-Anne Ingrouille (movement), and DJ Walde (composer). Casting is by Alastair Coomer CDG.
Additional creatives include associate director Aaliyah McKay, associate designers Tim Blazdell, Johanna Coe, Hector Murray, and Chris Reid. Joyce Henderson serves as physical comedy advisor, Ingrid Mackinnon as intimacy coordinator, and Kate Godfrey as voice and dialect coach.
Following its sold-out run at the National Theatre, the production was screened globally via National Theatre Live, reaching over 165,000 UK viewers.
Over 20,000 tickets are available for under £30 across the West End run.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
