The Forest of Dean's own Olly Alexander is starring in the West End run of The Importance of Being Earnest from the National Theatre this September 2025.
Olly, who shot to fame with his band Years and Years and starred as Ritchie Tozer in hit Channel 4 series It's A Sin, grew up in Coleford in the Forest of Dean.
He plays the witty and suave Algernon Moncrieff in the Oscar Wilde classic, which follows the secret double lives of Algernon and his friend Jack Worthing, as they assume false identities, attempt to woo their respective love interests and end up entangled in a web of lies, in this beloved satirical comedy.
He takes over the role from Sex Education star Ncuti Gatwa, who played Algernon in the 2024 production.
In an Instagram post, Olly said it was 'a dream' to return to the West End stage and described Oscar Wilde as 'one of the most iconic queer artists of all time'.
Directed by Max Webster and co-produced by the National Theatre and Sonia Friedman Productions, National Theatre describes the play as a 'joyful and flamboyant reimagining' and 'a hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance'.
The Importance of Being Earnest starring Olly Alexander transfers to the Noël Coward Theatre for a limited West End run from Thursday 18 September 2025 to Saturday 10 January 2026.
Tickets go on general sale at 12pm on Monday 16 June 2025.
.jpg?width=864&height=454&rmode=pad&bgcolor=ffffff&quality=85&format=webp)