Olly Alexander Will Star in West End Transfer of The Importance of Being Earnest

London's National Theatre's dramatically reimagined revival of Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, which concluded its limited engagement January 25, will transfer to the West End this fall.

A co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions, the Max Webster-directed staging will begin performances September 18 at the Noël Coward Theatre for a limited engagement through January 10, 2026. Tickets will go on sale to the general public June 16.

Actor and singer-songwriter Olly Alexander (It’s a Sin; White Rabbit, Red Rabbit; The Riot Club; Peter and Alice) will play the role of Algernon Moncrieff, the part played by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) during the winter engagement.

In a statement Alexander said, “I’m over the moon to be returning to a West End stage to take on the fabulous role of Algernon Moncrieff in Oscar Wilde’s most fun and favored play. I’ve always hugely admired Wilde—he’s a true icon, not only a hugely successful and influential 19th century writer but also a trailblazing queer artist who fearlessly pushed against the expectations of society. He was a pioneer of LGBTQ+ rights before such a thing existed and I’m so excited and proud to get the chance to inhabit his work.”

Director Webster added, "I am ecstatic that The Importance of Being Earnest is transferring to the West End starring the brilliant Olly Alexander this September for a winter run. The creative team and I really wanted to honor Oscar Wilde's life and work and celebrate his legendary wit, fabulousness, and imaginative freedom with this production. We found that the play felt amazingly fresh and contemporary, and there was an incredible audience response night after night during its original run at the National Theatre. I can't wait to share this production again, with audiences in the West End, and am especially excited to work with Olly who I am certain will create a new and fabulous take on Wilde's iconic character Algenon Moncreiff.”

The creative team also features set and costume designer Rae Smith, lighting designer Jon Clark, sound designer Nicola T. Chang, movement director Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, composer DJ Walde, physical comedy advisor Joyce Henderson, intimacy coordinator Ingrid Mackinnon, casting director Alastair Coomer, dialect coach Hazel Holder, and voice coach Shereen Ibrahim.

Webster’s production was performed in the Lyttelton Theatre prior to a worldwide cinematic release through National Theatre Live.

The cast of the original production also featured Sharon D Clarke (Death of a Salesman) as Lady Bracknell, Ronkẹ Adékọluẹ́jọ́ (Blues for an Alabama Sky) as Gwendolen Fairfax, Julian Bleach (Doctor Who) as Lane and Merriman, Richard Cant (Stan & Ollie) as Reverend Canon Chasuble, Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who) as Algernon Moncrieff, Amanda Lawrence (Star Wars: Episode – IX The Rise of Skywalker) as Miss Prism, Eliza Scanlen (Little Women) as Cecily Cardew, and Hugh Skinner (W1A) as Jack Worthing with ensemble members Shereener Browne (The Effect), Jasmine Kerr (Follies), Gillian McCafferty (The Rise & Fall of Little Voice), Elliot Pritchard (Museum of Austerity), and John Vernon (Coriolanus).