The Importance of Being Earnest
next weekend in London
Oscar Wilde's comedy of manners becomes a glittering identity game of romance, lies and perfectly timed one-liners.
⭐4.6
iSooz ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Cristina ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Caroline ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Lea Herzberg ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Darius ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pauline Sammet ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Simone Höfer ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rebecca Sapsford ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bambi Ross ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Elisa Zarri ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
paul mccabe ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jakobsson Rune ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Mr A Fletcher ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Joseph Hilditch ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Jeremy Godden ⭐⭐⭐
NINA ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
JR ⭐⭐⭐⭐
juanBCRRA ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Paula Gee ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Things to Know Before You Go
Updated: Tue 14 Jul, 06:00 London time
Is there a Saturday matinee for The Importance of Being Earnest next weekend?
No Saturday performance next weekend.
What time does the The Importance of Being Earnest Sunday show start next weekend?
No Sunday performance next weekend.
What's the cheapest The Importance of Being Earnest performance next weekend?
Check the performance list above for prices.
Stephen Fry as Lady Bracknell — is it stunt casting, or a proper performance?
Both, and the proper performance wins. Fry doesn't push for camp; he plays Bracknell with the dryness of a man who genuinely cannot believe what he is being told, which sits closer to the Edith Evans tradition than to recent David Suchet or Patti LuPone outings. The famous 'A handbag?' lands less as a punchline than as a question. He's been pointing himself at this part for thirty years, and you can hear it.
How camp is Max Webster's NT staging — and will it put off a Wilde traditionalist?
Camp enough that Algy enters through a doorway you'd not have predicted, and the design leans hard into colour and pattern rather than fin-de-siècle drawing rooms. The text, mercifully, is largely intact. A traditionalist will grumble at the wallpaper for the first ten minutes and then submit; Wilde survives much worse than a bright set.
If you've never read a word of Wilde, will the wit land or sail over you?
It lands. Wilde is funnier than his reputation suggests because the jokes are about recognisable human absurdities — pretending, lying about your name, refusing the cucumber sandwiches — rather than wordplay you need a degree in literature to catch. The Noël Coward's acoustic is among the West End's clearest, the cast is amplified, and you'll often find yourself laughing twice: once at the line, again a beat later as the second meaning lands.
What is The Importance of Being Earnest about?
The Importance of Being Earnest is Oscar Wilde’s comedy of manners about two young men who invent alter egos so they can escape their respectable lives and pursue romance. Their double lives quickly unravel, drawing in formidable relatives, unsuspecting fiancées and a very famous handbag.
Do I need to know Oscar Wilde to enjoy this production?
Not at all. Knowing Wilde’s work adds an extra layer of enjoyment, but this production is designed to be accessible for first-time theatregoers. The story is clear, the humour is physical as well as verbal, and the performances make the characters easy to follow.
How long does The Importance of Being Earnest run?
The running time is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, including an interval. It is a full evening out, but the pace and the density of jokes keep the performance feeling lively.
Is The Importance of Being Earnest suitable for teenagers?
Yes, older teenagers will generally enjoy the show, especially if they like sharp humour and character-driven stories. Themes include romance, deception and social expectations, but nothing is graphic. If you are bringing younger teens, some of the wordplay may go over their heads, but the physical comedy still lands.
What should I wear to see The Importance of Being Earnest?
There is no formal dress code. Most people opt for smart-casual clothing that feels right for an evening at a West End theatre. You will see everything from jeans and a nice top to full eveningwear, so choose whatever makes you comfortable.
Is this a good choice if I usually prefer musicals?
Yes, provided you enjoy strong characters and witty dialogue. While there is no singing, the production has the energy and theatricality of a big West End show, and it can be a very approachable introduction to classic British drama.
About this show
Discover Oscar Wilde’s sharpest social comedy in this joyful National Theatre revival of The Importance of Being Earnest at the Nöel Coward Theatre. Max Webster’s production leans into the play’s wit, wordplay and escalating farce, while revealing the tenderness beneath all the epigrams and etiquette. Olly Alexander, Stephen Fry and an outstanding ensemble cast bring Wilde’s lovers, chaperones and troublemakers to flamboyant life, from city drawing rooms to country gardens. Whether you know the play by heart or are meeting it for the first time, this production offers a bright, contemporary take on classic West End comedy – perfect for anyone who enjoys clever dialogue, romantic chaos and a very good handbag joke.