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The full cast has been announced for Max Webster’s revival of The Importance of Being Earnest in the West End, as rehearsals start in London.

Originally staged at the National Theatre, Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy is playing at the Noël Coward Theatre in London from 8 September 2025 until 10 January 2026.

Already announced for the cast are pop star and actor Olly Alexander (It’s a Sin) as Algernon Moncrieff, Stephen Fry as Lady Bracknell, 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 revealed earlier this month were Kitty Hawthorne (Kerry Jackson) as Gwendolen Fairfax, Jessica Whitehurst (Cyrano) as Cecily Cardew, Hayley Carmichael (The Cat and Their Canary) as Merriman/Lane.

Announced today are the ensemble and understudy cast members, Jasmine Kerr, Sam Liu, Gillian McCafferty, Elliot Pritchard and Liv Spencer.

The Importance of Being Earnest - First day of rehearsals. Photo by Justine Matthew
The Importance of Being Earnest – First day of rehearsals. Photo by Justine Matthew

Produced in the West End by Sonia Friedman Productions and the National Theatre, and directed by Max Webster (Macbeth, Life of Pi, One Day The Musical), the show was a huge success at the National, enjoying a host of positive reviews from the critics.

Stephen Fry has already spoken about his new role as Lady Bracknell, telling Alan Carr on his “Life’s a Beach” podcast that, “I was delighted to be asked by Sonia Friedman… to play the part of Lady Bracknell.”

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 and casting director Alastair Coomer CDG.

They are joined by associate director Aaliyah McKay, associate set designer Tim Blazdell, associate costume designer Johanna Coe, associate lighting designer Hector Murray and associate sound designer Chris Reid, and completing the creative team are physical comedy advisor Joyce Henderson, intimacy coordinator Ingrid Mackinnon and voice and dialect coach Kate Godfrey.

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.

Everything you need to know about The Importance of Being Earnest in the West End starring Stephen Fry & Olly Alexander >

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 Importance of Being Earnest tickets

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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Main photo: The Importance of Being Earnest - Stephen Fry (Photo via agent) and Olly Alexander (Photo Danny Kasirye)

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