Headout logo. Link to home.

Help

Sell on Headout
Plays

The Importance of Being Earnest Tickets

Duration

2 hrs 45 mins with 1 interval

Age Limit

Suitable for 16+ yrs

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.

  • 55 reviews

    How do we collect reviews?

    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.

    41
    8
    2
    0
    4
    United States
    Netherlands
    Ireland
    Greece
    Ukraine
    Germany
    Belgium
    United States
    Netherlands
    Ireland
    Greece
    Ukraine
    Germany
    Belgium
    Guests from United States, Netherlands, Ireland and over 8 countries have loved this experience

    What our guests say

    John F

    Couple
    Verified booking
    Jan 2026
    Went to a perfromance on the 30th December. Theatre was packed out. All the cast were excellent and my wife really enjoyed her first live experience of Oscar Wilde.

    Tetiana V

    Solo
    Verified booking
    Dec 2025
    Not quite sure about the beginning and the closure of the play, but the middle was based on the Oscar Wilde work 😁 Some actors - to my view - crossed some vulgar lines, this was not necessary.

    Marion M

    Group
    Verified booking
    Nov 2025
    Great cast and a fun play to watch.

    Simon B

    Couple
    Verified booking
    Oct 2025
    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 G

    Couple
    Verified booking
    Oct 2025
    The performance was excellent. The cast were perfect.
  • 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.
  • You will receive an email with your The Importance of Being Earnest voucher. No need to print. Please carry a valid Photo Id for identification.

Similar experiences you'd love

The Lion King performer in costume against a yellow background.
The Lion King
Musicals
from
£43.75
The Lion King. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 11893 ratings.From £43.75
Phantom of the Opera London poster with mask and red rose.
Phantom of the Opera
Musicals
from
£31.25
Phantom of the Opera. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 7592 ratings.From £31.25
A vibrant scene from Moulin Rouge! The Musical with performers in colorful costumes.
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Musicals
from
£26.46
Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 4539 ratings.From £26.46
Mamma Mia! musical poster with a joyful bride holding a bouquet.
Mamma Mia!
Musicals
from
£18.75
Mamma Mia!. Rated 4.7 out of 5 from 7300 ratings.From £18.75
Les Misérables 40th anniversary poster, West End production.
Les Misérables
Musicals
from
£31.25
Les Misérables. Rated 4.8 out of 5 from 5831 ratings.From £31.25

We've served 52 million+ guests and we are here for you

52 million+

Happy customers across 10,000+ experiences

In the media

Featured and recommended by the best brands

24 x 7 help center

Have a question? Live chat with local experts anywhere, anytime