The Importance of Being Earnest tickets

After a sold-out season at the National Theatre, the groundbreaking adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest is making its way to the West End this autumn at the Noël Coward Theatre.

Olly Alexander takes on the role of Algernon Moncrieff, with Max Webster directing, bringing this joyful and extravagant comedy back to the London stage.

Expect a tangled web of double identities, love stories and lies popping up when you least expect them, leading to some seriously laugh-out-loud moments.

What is the plot of The Importance of Being Earnest?

Jack thinks being sensitive is extremely boring, and while he takes his duties seriously, he ends up taking some liberties and letting loose under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Aggy does the same, but what follows is far from what either expected when elaborate lies come to light. It results  in a rather complicated farce – especially when it comes to impressing ladies.

These two Victorian bachelors, both going by the name Ernest, try to win over Gwendolyn and Cecily, two women who strangely claim they’ll only love men called Ernest. The men get tangled up in their own made-up stories, struggling to keep up the charade, leading to a story full of deception and ridiculous comic moments.

Why you should see The Importance of Being Earnest 

Oscar Wilde’s intemporal satire The Importance of Being Earnest offers a humorous take on societal norms and the triviality of so-called earnest relationships under the pressure of society’s rules. It’s widely considered Wilde’s greatest play – and for good reason.

Last year’s stage adaptation at the National Theatre mesmerised audiences, with the lead appearing on stage in a grand pink ball gown, playing the piano. Think bold regency-style decor, outrageous flirting, and a delicious clash with Victorian conservatism.

Who is in the cast of The Importance of Being Earnest?

Actor and singer Olly Alexander is taking on the role of Algernon Moncrieff. He’s best known for playing Ritchie Tozer in Channel 4 series “It’s a Sin” and for representing the UK at the Eurovision song contest in 2024.

The rest of the cast is still to be announced for this stage revival of Max Webster’s production, which featured Ncuti Gatwa in the same role last year.

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

Who wrote The Importance of Being Earnest play?

The play, The Importance of Being Earnest: A Trivial Comedy for Serious People, was written by Oscar Wilde. It’s a comedy about men trying to avoid their responsibilities and what’s expected of them. It is one of Wilde’s four drawing-room plays, and easily his most popular work today.

It was first performed in 1895 at the St James’s Theatre in London and quickly became a hit, thanks to its sharp wit and spot-on take on Victorian manners. But despite the strong start, Wilde fell into disgrace, with the show closing after just 86 performances.

Since then, the play has been revived countless times, with some of the biggest names in theatre taking the stage, such as Sir John Gielgud, Martin Jarvis, Dame Maggie Smith and Dame Judi Dench.

The Importance of Being Earnest tickets

You can now book your tickets with Visit London to see The Importance of Being Earnest using the booking button on this page. Pick your seats, check prices, and get ready for one of the most anticipated West End shows of the year.

What time is the evening show?

The Importance of Being Earnest is showing Mondays to Saturdays at 7pm.

When are the matinee performances?

Matinee performances are scheduled to take place on Thursdays and Saturdays at 2pm.

How long is the Importance of Being Earnest show?

The play is two hours and 45 minutes long, including a 20-minute interval.

Noël Coward Theatre - venue Details

The Comedy About Spies is showing at the Noël Coward Theatre, on Saint Martin’s Lane.

How to get there:

• Underground – The nearest Tube stations are Charing Cross (Bakerloo and Northern lines) and Leicester Square (Northern and Piccadilly lines).
• Bus – You can catch the following buses which stop nearby on Leicester Square (Stop J): 24, 29, 176, N5, N20, N29 and N279.
• Cycling – Rent a Santander Cycles bike and head to William IV Street on the Strand where you will find a docking station. The theatre is just a few minutes’ walk away.

What age is The Importance of Being Earnest recommended for?

The play is recommended for anyone aged 16 and over. Please note that this production contains strong language, suggestive scenes as well as smoke and haze effects.

What other shows can I see in London?

See My Master Builder, a bold reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s play, where an evening of celebration quickly spirals into a night of utter destruction. Or take a dive into the turbulent relationship between two of the greatest writers – Marlowe and Shakespeare – in Born With Teeth, starring Ncuti Gatwa and Edward Bluemel.