Olly Alexander to Lead West End Transfer of 'The Importance of Being Earnest'

London's theater scene is always one of the best in the world, and the remainder of 2025 is now different. With big name stars like Imelda Staunton (Mrs. Warren's Profession), Michael Sheen (Nye), Nicola Walker (The Unbelievers), Andrew Lincoln (The Lady From the Sea), Rosamund Pike (Inter Alia), and more all taking to the stage over the next few months, it's a unique opportunity to see some of the entertainment world's best performers in smaller, more intimate ways. And sometimes, if you're very lucky, a show you missed out on comes back around. Such is the case with the National Theatre's The Importance of Being Earnest, which is set to transfer to the West End this Fall

Director Max Webster's colorful, joyously queer production enjoyed a sold-out run at the National's Lyttleton Theatre last Fall, before playing to audiences around the world via National Theatre Live screenings earlier this year. The original run featured Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa as Algernon Moncrieff. But Gatwa will be treading the boards elsewhere this Fall, playing Christopher Marlowe in the Royal Shakespeare Company's new play Born with Teeth. So It's a Sin star Olly Alexander will be taking over the role. 

“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 favoured play," Alexander said. "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.”

Here's the play's synopsis. 

Being sensible can be excessively boring. At least Jack thinks so. 

While assuming the role of dutiful guardian in the country, he 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.

"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," Webster said. "The creative team and I really wanted to honour 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.”

Alexander is the only confirmed cast member of the forthcoming transfer. Last fall's National Theatre run featured Hugh Skinner as Jack Worthing, Richard Cant as Reverend Canon Chasuble,  Amanda Lawrence as Miss Prism, and Sharon D. Clarke as Lady Bracknell. Still, it's unknown at this point if any of this original group will be reprising their roles.

The production’s creative team includes set and costume designer Rae Smith, lighting designer Jon Clark, sound designer Nicola T. Chang, movement director Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, and composer DJ Walde.

The Importance of Being Earnest will run for a limited season at London's Noël Coward Theatre from September 18, 2025, until January 10, 2026. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Monday, June 16, via the Delfont Mackintosh Theatres website.