National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest (12A)

Stage on Screen
Tuesday 29th April 2025

Starts 7pm | Tickets £18.50, Conc. £17.50 | Screen one | One Interval

Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy – The Importance of Being Earnest.

While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen subsequently find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate.

Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and surprisingly romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London. The Importance of Being Earnest undeniably brings mistaken identities, romance, and laugh-out-loud moments to life.

★★★★★ “This joyfully reclaimed, triumphantly queer comedy is pure theatre magic” London Theatre

★★★★ “Ncuti Gatwa leads a Wilde party of irresistible anarchic charm” The Guardian

★★★★ “Ncuti Gatwa is on sublimely mischievous form leading the cast of this anarchically camp rewilding of Wilde” Time Out

“Webster’s adaptation is a dazzling triumph – equal parts chaos, humour, and heart. This vibrant reimagining of Wilde’s masterpiece is a must-see.” Rendition

★★★★ “I’ve seen radical reinventions of this play that didn’t work. This one does.” The Standard

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