- In |
- On August 1, 2025
Stephen Fry will star in The Importance of Being Earnest which opens this September. Fry will join the production as Lady Bracknell in Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy. TV star and comedian Hugh Dennis will also join the cast as Reverend Canon Chasuble.

The Importance of Being Earnest will open at The Noel Coward Theatre on 11th September. It is making a West End transfer from The National Theatre. The previously announced pop-star, Olly Alexander will lead this exciting production as Algernon Moncrieff. You can read more about that initial announcement here.
Joining Stephen Fry in this cast are Nathan Stewart-Jarrett (Dr Who) as Jack Worthing, and Shobna Gulati (Mamma Mia) as Miss Prism. Also joining this star studded cast is Kitty Hawthorne as Gwendolen Fairfax, Jessica Whitehurst as Cecily Cardew and lastly, Hayley Carmichael as Merriman/Lane.

Max Webster is directing this hit production. Webster is known for his work on Macbeth and The Life of Pi to name a few.
Stephen Fry gave this statement regarding the exciting announcement:
“I was delighted to be asked by Max Webster to join his jubilant National Theatre production and play the formidable Lady Bracknell in the West End. Oscar Wilde has been a hugely important figure in my life and career and The Importance of Being Earnest is a play that changed my life when I first saw it aged 10. It made me understand what language can do and absolutely transported me. Wilde is a beacon to people who still believe in open thinking and adventuring with the mind and spirit.”
Secure your cheap tickets now to catch Stephen Fry, Hugh Dennis and Olly Alexander live on stage now to avoid disappointment.
The Importance of Being Earnest is playing at The Noel Coward Theatre from 11th September 2025 until 10th January 2026.