Plays

The Importance of Being Earnest Tickets

Duration

2 hr

Oscar Wilde’s sparkling satire gets a vibrant new twist as Olly Alexander leads this hilarious tale of mistaken identity, double lives, and romantic chaos.

Olly Alexander (BAFTA-nominated for It's A Sin) stars in this bold revival of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy, reimagined by Max Webster (Life of Pi and Macbeth at the Donmar) and ideal for fans of wit, romance, and chaos.

This glittering comedy lands at Noël Coward Theatre after a sold-out run at the National Theatre, a must-see satire critics are calling “joyful” and “deliciously sharp.”

Wilde’s whip-smart dialogue meets contemporary flair in this vibrant revival with bold costumes, lively staging, and some well-placed cucumber sandwiches.

Double lives, mistaken identities, and charming deception—expect an uproarious ride through society’s silly rules. Book tickets to The Importance of Being Earnest in London now!

The story

Jack leads a proper life in the country, but in London, he’s someone else entirely. His friend Algy does the same, and soon, they’re both tangled in a web of lies, aliases, and unexpected romance. As two young women fall for the charm of men named “Ernest,” the question looms: how long can a double life last before it all unravels?

These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.

4.5
44 reviews
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These ratings include verified reviews from both Headout guests and our trusted partners who operate this experience locally. All reviews come from real travelers who've taken this experience.
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What our guests say
Simon
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
I'm a great fan of Stephen Fry which is what prompted me to see the play which I am very familiar with. Seeing him as Lady Bracknell was simply wonderful. His presence was dramatic and his presentation was brilliant. The famous "a handbag" as iterated by Dame Edith years ago was beautifully varied, but just as effective. While I know political righteousness has to be observed, I still believe there are situations where it really shouldn't be applied. This play is clearly such an example. There are thousands of plays where using coloured actors would be perfectly acceptable, but this is not one of them. The actors playing mother and son were fine actors, but just miscast. Luckily the play is so good it didn't ruin it. The scene changes were remarkable and the odd characters highly amusing. If I lived in London, I would go to see it again just for Stephen Fry. You suggest showing favourite photo moments, having requested beforehand that all phones etc be turned off!!
Steven
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
The performance was excellent. The cast were perfect.
Lucien
Nov 2025
Verified booking
3/5
Cate
Oct 2025
Verified booking
5/5
Anne
Sep 2025
Verified booking
4/5

Show details

Categories: Plays, Drama, Stars on Stage, Critics' Choice, Comedy

Audience: Strictly for 16+ yrs

Theater name: Noël Coward theatre

Find the best seats in the house with the Noël Coward theatre seating plan

Theater facilities: restrooms, bar, cloakroom, gift shop

Theater accessibility: wheelchair accessible, accessible restrooms, companion seating, hearing assistance, access performances, ramp, guide dogs allowed, access hosts

Dress code: Smart casual

Cast & crew

Leading roles: Olly Alexander as Algernon Moncrieff (not performing on performances from Friday, November 7 to Thursday, November 13)

Director: Max Webster

Set & Costume Designer: Rae Smith

Lighting Designer: Jon Clark

Sound Designer: Nicola T. Chang

Movement Director: Carrie-Anne Ingrouille

Composer: DJ Walde

Additional info

The show is recommended for ages 16 years and above. Children under 16 years must be accompanied by a ticketholder aged 18 years or over and seated next to them.

Children under the age of 3 years will not be permitted inside the venue.

Content warning: This production contains strong language, suggestive content and smoke and haze.

Captioned: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 at 7:00pm & Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 2:00pm

Signed: Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 2:00pm & Thursday, December 11, 2025 at 7:00pm

Audio described: Thursday, November 27, 2025 at 7:00pm & Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 2:00pm

Age suitability recommendations are just suggestions. So, trust your judgment when booking tickets for any show, and enjoy!

Most theatres are air-conditioned year-round, so it can get a bit chilly. Bring a light jacket just in case.