The Importance of Being Earnest | Official Trailer | National Theatre

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 (Donmar’s Macbeth; Life of Pi) directs a joyful and flamboyant reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy. Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom; 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.

The Importance of Being Earnest is playing in the Lyttelton Theatre from 20 November and in cinemas worldwide with National Theatre Live from 20 February 2025.

--
Subscribe on YouTube:    / nationaltheatre  
Sign up to our monthly newsletter:

National Theatre TikTok:   / nationaltheatre  
National Theatre Twitter:   / nationaltheatre  
National Theatre Facebook:   / nationaltheatre  
National Theatre Instagram:   / nationaltheatre  

National Theatre Live Twitter:   / ntlive  
National Theatre Live Facebook:   / ntlive  
--
At the National Theatre in London, we make world-class theatre that is entertaining, challenging and inspiring. And we make it for everyone: https://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/

National Theatre Live broadcast the best of British theatre to cinemas in the UK and around the world: https://www.ntlive.com

National Theatre at Home streams unmissable theatre to you any time, anywhere: https://www.ntathome.com