Sir Stephen Fry has announced that he is set to join the cast of the National Theatre’s hit revival of The Importance of Being Earnest in the West End.
Following a sold-out run at the National Theatre earlier this year, Oscar Wilde’s comedy The Importance of Being Earnest will transfer to the Noël Coward Theatre in London, running from 8 September 2025 until 10 January 2026.
The production is directed by Max Webster (Macbeth, Life of Pi, One Day The Musical).
Already announced in the cast is pop star and actor Olly Alexander (It’s a Sin), who will play Algernon Moncrieff.
Stephen Fry announced the news on Alan Carr’s “Life’s a Beach” podcast (from 42:08), 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.”
Fry went on to say that he is “hugely looking forward to it. It is a play that changed my life when I first saw it when I was 10, 11, 12, and understood something of what language can do, it just absolutely transported me.”
Stephen Fry has long wanted to play Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest. A 2014 production of the play produced by David Pugh was announced back in 2013, and was set to star Fry as Bracknell, although sadly the production was cancelled.
Fry has also recorded The Importance of Being Earnest for Audible.
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.
Further casting for the West End is to be announced.
Also today, Tatler magazine released photos of Olly Alexander as their cover star for September.
Webster’s production was a huge crowd-pleaser when it premiered at the National Theatre, and enjoyed a slew of positive reviews from the critics.
Oscar Wilde’s play is widely considered one of the wittiest in the English language.
In the story, 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 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.
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.
The show is produced in the West End by the National Theatre and Sonia Friedman Productions.
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
Related News
Acclaimed Into the Woods revival announces full cast for West End transfer
Cyrano de Bergerac Reviews: critics agree it’s equal parts exquisite and heartbreaking
Everything you need to know about Cyrano de Bergerac at the Noel Coward Theatre
Everything you need to know about One Day the Musical at the Garrick Theatre
Latest News
Broadway legend Patti LuPone returns to the London Coliseum for Valentine’s Day 2027
Helen of Troy never got to tell her side. Watch the trailer for the play that does
After a sell-out world tour, The Choir of Man returns to the West End this Christmas
