Olly Alexander Stars in London West End ‘Earnest’ Transfer

The National Theatre‘s sold-out production of “The Importance of Being Earnest” is heading to the West End this autumn, with Olly Alexander set to take on the role of Algernon Moncrieff in the critically acclaimed revival.

Oscar Wilde‘s 1895 play follows Jack Worthing, who while assuming the role of dutiful guardian in the country, lets loose in town under a false identity.  Meanwhile, his friend Algernon Moncrieff 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 from which they must carefully navigate.

The production will run for a limited season at the Noël Coward Theatre from Sept. 18 through Jan. 10, 2026. The transfer represents a co-production between the National Theatre and Sonia Friedman Productions.

Alexander is known for his work as frontman of Years & Years and his starring role in Channel 4’s “It’s a Sin.” The actor is in the role that “Doctor Who” star Ncuti Gatwa played in 2024 at the National Theatre. “I’m over the moon to be returning to a West End stage to take on the fabulous role of Algernon Moncrieff in Oscar Wilde’s most fun and favored play,” Alexander said. “I’ve always hugely admired Wilde – he’s a true icon, not only a hugely successful and influential 19th century writer but also a trailblazing queer artist who fearlessly pushed against the expectations of society.”

The production marks a significant theatrical return for Alexander, whose previous stage credits include “Peter and Alice” in the West End and “The Aliens” at Bush Theatre. As Years & Years, he achieved two number one U.K. albums and 10 U.K. Top 40 singles, earning six Brit Award nominations. Most recently, he represented the U.K. in the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest with “Dizzy.”

Director Max Webster, whose recent credits include “Macbeth” at the Donmar Warehouse and West End, as well as “Life of Pi” on Broadway, said he was “ecstatic” about the transfer. “The creative team and I really wanted to honor Oscar Wilde’s life and work and celebrate his legendary wit, fabulousness and imaginative freedom with this production,” he said. “We found that the play felt amazingly fresh and contemporary, and there was an incredible audience response night after night during its original run at the National Theatre.”

The production’s creative team includes set and costume designer Rae Smith, lighting designer Jon Clark, sound designer Nicola T. Chang, movement director Carrie-Anne Ingrouille, and composer DJ Walde.

The original National Theatre run played from Nov. 21, 2024, through Jan. 25, 2025, in the Lyttelton Theatre before being released to cinemas worldwide through National Theatre Live.