Also stars Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Shobna Gulati, Kitty Hawthorne, Jessica Whitehurst, Hayley Carmichael
Further casting has been revealed for the National’s hit revival of The Importance of Being Earnest in the West End.
Produced in the West End by the National Theatre and Sonia Friedman Productions, Oscar Wilde’s joyous comedy is transferring to the Noël Coward Theatre in London, running from 8 September 2025 until 10 January 2026.
Already announced for the cast is pop star and actor Olly Alexander (It’s a Sin), who will play Algernon Moncrieff.
He will be joined by acting and writing legend Sir Stephen Fry as Lady Bracknell, and TV star and comedian Hugh Dennis (Outnumbered, Not Going Out) as Reverend Canon Chasuble, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Femme) as Jack Worthing, and Shobna Gulati (Coronation Street) as Miss Prism.
Also joining the cast are Kitty Hawthorne (Kerry Jackson) as Gwendolen Fairfax, Jessica Whitehurst (Cyrano) as Cecily Cardew, Hayley Carmichael (The Cat and Their Canary) as Merriman/Lane.
The production is directed by Max Webster (Macbeth, Life of Pi, One Day The Musical), and was a huge success at the end of last year and beginning of this year at the National Theatre, enjoying a slew of positive reviews from the critics.
Director Max Webster said in a statement: “Oscar Wilde was a master of elegance, rebellion, and razor-sharp wit. 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 said: “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.”
Meet the West End cast of The Importance of Being Earnest
Stephen Fry had already talked about his new role as Lady Bracknell earlier this week on Alan Carr’s “Life’s a Beach” podcast, saying that, “I was delighted to be asked by Sonia Friedman, the producer, who is co-producing the National Theatre’s transfer of their production of The Importance of Being Earnest to the West End, starting in September. And I am to play the part of Lady Bracknell.”
Also this week, Tatler magazine released photos of Olly Alexander as their cover star for September.
The part of Lady Bracknell was originally played in this National Theatre production by Sharon D Clarke (Lost Boys and Fairies, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Doctor Who). That production also saw Ncuti Gatwa (Born with Teeth, Doctor Who, Sex Education) as Algernon Moncrieff, Hugh Skinner (W1A, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) as Jack Worthing, Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́ (Rain Dogs, Blues for an Alabama Sky) as Gwendolen Fairfax and Eliza Scanlen (Little Women, Sharp Objects) as Cecily Cardew.
Max Webster is joined in the creative team by set and costume designer Rae Smith, lighting designer Jon Clark, sound designer Nicola T. Chang, movement director Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, composer D.J. Walde, casting director Alastair Coomer CDG, associate director Aaliyah McKay, associate set designer Tim Blazdell, associate costume designer Johanna Coe, associate lighting designer Hector Murray, associate sound designer Chris Reid, physical comedy advisor Joyce Henderson, intimacy coordinator Ingrid Mackinnon and voice and dialect coach Kate Godfrey.
In The Importance of Being Earnest, while assuming the role of dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy takes on a similar façade. 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.
The show is produced in the West End by the National Theatre and Sonia Friedman Productions, in association with No Guarantees, Playing Field and Winkler & Smalberg.
Booking tickets to The Importance of Being Earnest
The Importance of Being Earnest is playing at the Noël Coward Theatre in London from 8 September 2025 until 10 January 2026.
Book tickets to The Importance of Being Earnest at the National Theatre London
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