The National Theatre in London has announced a new revival of Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy The Importance of Being Earnest.
The comedy will be directed by Olivier Award winner Max Webster (Macbeth, Life of Pi, Minority Report), playing the Lyttelton theatre in the National Theatre from 20 November 2024 to 25 January 2025.
Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who, Sex Education) will play Algernon Moncrieff, alongside multi award-winning actor Sharon D Clarke (Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, Doctor Who) as Lady Bracknell, Hugh Skinner (Fleabag, W1A, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again) as Jack Worthing, Richard Cant (Stan & Ollie, Mary Queen of Scots) as Reverend Canon Chasuble, and Amanda Lawrence (Star Wars: Episode – IX The Rise of Skywalker, Angels in America) as Miss Prism, with further casting to be announced.
Joining Max Webster in the creative team will be set and costume design by Rae Smith, lighting design by Jon Clark, sound design by Nicola T. Chang, composition by DJ Walde, movement direction by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille and casting by Alastair Coomer CDG.
Webster plans to “reimage” the play, telling Deadline that: “We’re going to be in the Victorian era, but you know, there are various ways of not being completely reverential about it… Hopefully we can find a way of doing Victorian costumes that’s true to the play, but also kind of modern and fashion-forward.”
Rufus Norris, outgoing Artistic Director of the National Theatre, said in a statement: “It is a joy to be welcoming Max Webster in his National Theatre directorial debut with a new production of Oscar Wilde’s hilariously subversive comedy The Importance of Being Earnest. Max has assembled an extraordinary cast to reimagine one of our greatest comedies, with Ncuti Gatwa making his National Theatre debut. We are also delighted to welcome back Richard Cant, Amanda Lawrence, Hugh Skinner and Sharon D Clarke, who is returning to play one of Wilde’s most iconic roles – Lady Bracknell.”
The Importance of Being Earnest will be one of the National Theatre’s Christmas 2024 shows, alongside previously announced family show Ballet Shoes from 23 November 2024.
Director Max Webster is currently directing a new stage version of Minority Report at the Lyric Hammersmith in London, running to 18 May 2024. His recent acclaimed production of Macbeth at the Donmar Warehouse starring David Tennant and Cush Jumbo is heading the West End later this year, playing the Harold Pinter Theatre from 1 October to 14 December 2024.
The Importance of Being Earnest will play the Lyttelton theatre at the National Theatre from 20 November 2024 to 25 January 2025.
More about tickets to The Importance of Being Earnest at the National Theatre in London
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