⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Five Stars)

Following its run at the National Theatre last year, this West End transfer of The Importance of Being Earnest breathes fresh life into Oscar Wilde’s “trivial comedy for serious people,” first staged in 1895. Wilde's writing has always been witty, intelligent, and full of quotable one-liners, but Max Webster and this fantastic cast manage to draw out even more humour through unexpected and delightful line readings and character choices.

At its core, the play remains the same farcical Victorian comedy of mistaken identity and social pretence. Two upper-class bachelors, Algernon Moncrieff (Olly Alexander) and Jack Worthing (Nathan Stewart-Jarrett), both adopt the name “Ernest” in order to win the hearts of Gwendolen Fairfax (Kitty Hawthorne) and Cecily Cardew (Jessica Whitehurst), two women who insist they could never marry a man of any other name. But in Webster’s inspired reimagining, all four of these characters are clearly queer-coded, performing exaggerated versions of heterosexual courtship so over-the-top that it circles back around to being incredibly camp and hysterically funny. The result is a production that both honours Wilde’s wit and amplifies the themes of hidden identities and social performance that have always been at the play’s core.

All four leads are fantastic. Alexander brings flamboyant energy and charm to Algernon and has brilliant chemistry with Stewart-Jarrett’s Jack, the two characters flirting their way through heated arguments with each other. Hawthorne and Whitehurst, as Gwendolen and Cecily, are equally entertaining in their dramatic portrayals of the not-so-subtly sapphic pair. Stephen Fry is perfectly cast as Lady Bracknell: his trademark intelligence and eloquent use of language are perfectly in line with the judgemental and condescending matriarch. There’s also a wealth of brilliant physical comedy packed into this production: Hayley Carmichael is hilarious as Worthing’s doddery and perpetually confused butler, while Hawthorne’s Gwendolen earns some of the biggest laughs of the show with her dramatic attempts to navigate the tiniest of grassy slopes. These moments of silliness feel entirely in tune with the production’s playful spirit.

Visually, the show is stunning. Rae Smith’s set designs are decadent and delightful, from Algernon’s classy townhouse to the cartoonishly bright gardens of Worthing’s country estate. Smith’s costumes are equally playful: Alexander’s opening look of a stunning hot pink tulle dress sets the tone for an evening of vivid colours, bold patterns, and extravagance. Yet the clothes manage to never feel overly costume-like as the characters themselves are so larger-than-life that such flamboyance in their dress sense feels entirely natural.

This production is wonderfully self-aware and full of knowing winks to the audience. Even before the first line is spoken, a single handbag hovers in front of the curtain in a playful nod to one of the play’s most famous lines. Anachronisms are sprinkled throughout, such as the incorporation of modern pop songs, and the night ends with a spectacular curtain call featuring the cast dancing and taking their bows in beautiful, glittering flower costumes. It’s a finale that perfectly captures the joyful theatricality of this production.

The Importance of Being Earnest runs at Noel Coward Theatre until 10th January 2026.

Tickets Available Here