The Importance of Being Earnest
Two Victorian gentlemen lead double lives, each creating fictional personas to escape their responsibilities. Their deceptions grow complicated when they pursue romance with two different women.
The Importance of Being Earnest, Max Webster
Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest (2025) is already a timeless comedy, but the latest production elevates it into something truly special – a blend of Wilde’s sharp wit with stunning stagecraft and standout performances.
The set design is nothing short of breathtaking. The aesthetic is both opulent and playful, with vibrant colour palette that complements the show’s biting humour. Every scene is a visual delight, seamlessly transporting the audience into Wilde’s world of colour, wit and humour.
“Every scene is a visual delight, seamlessly transporting the audience into Wilde’s world of colour, wit and humour. ”
The performances are equally captivating. The cast delivers the play’s rapid-fire dialogue with impeccable timing and relevance. More than just a period comedy, this production leans into the queer subtext that has long made Earnest an LGBTQ+ favourite. With Wilde’s own life and legacy looking large over the text, the play feels more relevant than ever – an unapologetic celebration of queer identity wrapped in layers of satire.
Wilde’s biting social critique is now a joyful assertion of queer culture. This production ensures that The Importance of Being Earnest remains as irresistibly funny – and undeniably queer – as ever.
Release Date: February 20th, 2025
Directed by Max Webster
Written by Oscar Wilde
Starring Ncuti Gatwa, Eliza Scanlan, Hugh Skinner, Sharon D. Clarke, Amanda Lawrence, Ronke Adeleluejo
Distributor: National Theatre
Runtime: 182 minutes.