The Importance of Being Earnest

A joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy, featuring Sharon D Clarke, Ncuti Gatwa and Hugh Skinner in this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance.

A Trivial Comedy for Serious People.

Being sensible can be excessively boring. At least Jack thinks so.

While assuming the role of dutiful guardian in the country, he lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy takes on a similar facade.

Unfortunately, living a double life has its drawbacks, especially when it comes to love. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.

Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs a joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy. Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke (Doctor Who) is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) and Hugh Skinner (W1A; Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) in this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance.

This is a screening of the National Theatre’s production of The Importance of Being Earnest, to be filmed live at the Lyttelton Theatre in January 2025.