The National Theatre's 'The Importance of Being Earnest' Will Import in February

It's no secret that the booming, vibrant British theater scene is one of the best in the world. But for Anglophiles who don't happen to live in or particularly close to London, it's hard not to feel a bit left out when it comes to seeing the big-name British stars who regularly tread the boards in the West End. Thank goodness for the National Theatre, which periodically films its productions for archival purposes and releases them in cinemas worldwide. Its National Theatre Live program just screened its 100th broadcast last year (Michael Sheen in Nye), and its at-home streaming service, which allows subscribers to watch both new and classic performances featuring actors ranging from Helen Mirren (Phaedra) to Benedict Cumberbatch (Frankenstein), is more popular than ever.

National Theatre Live's next offering will arrive in theaters this February, and it's one of the program's biggest and buzziest yet: The Importance of Being Earnest. The adaptation of the Oscar Wilde classic is currently playing to sold-out crowds in London and has won raves for its colorful staging, chaotically camp vibes, and dedication to really leaning into the story's queer energy. And, I mean, it's Wilde, so there's a lot of queer energy baked in already, but director Max Webster cranks it all up to eleven.

The Importance of Being Earnest follows the story of two wisecracking bachelors who get into insanely complicated schemes together, involving everything from using fake identities to inventing nonexistent friends to impress women. Or at least maintain the facade of being interested in women. Your mileage will likely vary on that point, depending on which production you're watching. (In this one, the women seem to be more into each other than their potential suitors.)