Noël Coward Theatre

The Importance of Being Earnest

18th September 2025 - 10th January 2026

About The Importance of Being Earnest

The National Theatre’s sold-out production of The Importance of Being Earnest transfers to the Noël Coward Theatre this Autumn, in a co-production with Sonia Friedman Productions.

Olly Alexander (It's A Sin) plays Algernon Moncrieff in director Max Webster's (Donmar’s Macbeth; Life of Pi) joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s 'glittering masterpiece’ (Telegraph), a hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance.

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.

Further casting to be announced.

The Importance of Being Earnest Tickets

at the Noël Coward Theatre

Ticket Prices

Standard Tickets from: £25

Please check individual performances for price availability.

For Booking fees and other information click here.

Performance schedule

Please check the performance calendar.

Monday 22 December: 7pm
Tuesday 23 December: 2pm & 7pm
Wednesday 24 December: No Performances
Thursday 25 December: No performances
Friday 26 December: 7pm
Saturday 27 December: 2pm & 7pm
Sunday 28 December: 3pm

Monday 29 December: 7pm
Tuesday 30 December: 2pm & 7pm
Wednesday 31 December: 2pm
Thursday 1 January: No performances
Friday 2 January: 2pm & 7pm
Saturday 3 January: 2pm &7pm
Sunday 4 January: No performances

Show Running Time

Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes

including a 20 minute interval

Some Things You Need to Know

Age recommendation: Please check back nearer the time

Please note: This production contains strong language, suggestive content and smoke and haze.

Everyone, regardless of age, must have their own ticket to enter the theatre. Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied by and sat next to a ticketholder who is at least 18 years old. Children under the age of 3 will not be admitted. Latecomers may not be admitted until a suitable break but we cannot guarantee admittance into the performance.

You may not bring food or drink purchased elsewhere.

For full terms and conditions, please click here.

Please note: Olly Alexander is not scheduled to perform from Friday 7 to Thursday 13 November 2025.

Accessibility

If you have access requirements, you can find information regarding accessibility at this theatre here.

★★★★★

"A sparkling new production"

Daily Mail
★★★★★

"Effervescent, exuberant, and proudly loud"

Broadway World
★★★★

"Oscar Wilde’s glittering masterpiece"

The Telegraph
★★★★

"Wilde would be wild about this production"

Guardian
★★★★

"A radical reinvention of a 19th century classic"

Evening Standard
★★★★

"Sublimely mischievous"

Time Out

The Importance of Being Earnest Access Performance Dates

Captioned Performance

Tuesday 18 November 2025 at 7:00pm

Signed Performance

Saturday 22 November 2025 at 2:00pm

Audio Described Performance

Thursday 27 November 2025 at 7:00pm

Signed Performance

Thursday 11 December 2025 at 7:00pm

Audio Described Performance

Saturday 13 December 2025 at 2:00pm

Captioned Performance

Saturday 3 January 2026 at 2:00pm

For further information or to discuss your visit to Noël Coward Theatre and check availability, please use the options below:

Groups and Education Theatre Tickets

Discounts and Savings when booking for your Group or School

Groups

Group (10+)

Stalls and Dress Circle reduced to £55. Valid Monday - Thursday evenings and matinee performances.

Exclusions: 27 Oct – 2 Nov 25 | 22 Dec 25 – 10 Jan 25

Education

School Groups (10+)

Grand Circle reduced to £25 plus 1 free teacher ticket with every 10 student tickets booked. Monday - Thursday evenings and matinee performances.

Exclusions: 27 Oct – 2 Nov 25 | 22 Dec 25 – 10 Jan 25