Check out the latest photos and videos of The Importance of Being Earnest in the West End starring Stephen Fry and Olly Alexander.

Max Webster’s revival of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy has transferred from the National Theatre, and is now playing at the Noël Coward Theatre in London until 10 January 2026.

A glittering cast for The Importance of Being Earnest includes 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.

Just in: Watch the new trailer for The Importance of Being Earnest in the West End, featuring all of the new cast.

Trailer: The Importance of Being Earnest

The cast also features Kitty Hawthorne (Kerry Jackson) as Gwendolen Fairfax, Jessica Whitehurst (Cyrano) as Cecily Cardew, Hayley Carmichael (The Cat and The Canary) as Merriman/Lane.

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

Photos: The Importance of Being Earnest production images

Also check out the first production photos for The Importance of Being Earnest.

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 production was a huge success at the National, enjoying a host of positive reviews from the critics.

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.

Interviews with the cast

Watch a new video featuring interviews with the cast of The Importance of Being Earnest.

The Importance of Being Earnest – Watch the teaser trailer

Also watch the brand new trailer for The Importance of Being Earnest featuring the new West End cast.

The wider team includes 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.

Photos: The Importance of Being Earnest in rehearsals

Also, go behind the scenes of rehearsals for The Importance of Being Earnest.

Photo: The cast on the first day of rehearsals

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

Video: Meet the cast of The Importance of Being Earnest

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 now playing at the Noël Coward Theatre in London until 10 January 2026.

Book tickets to The Importance of Being Earnest at the Noel Coward Theatre London

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Main photo: The Importance of Being Earnest in the West End - New trailer released (Screenshot)

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