Yahoo Lifestyle ‘Doctor Who’ Star Ncuti Gatwa to Lead Revival of Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’
“Doctor Who” star Ncuti Gatwa leads the cast of a revival of Oscar Wilde’s 1895 play “The Importance of Being Earnest” at London’s National Theatre.
The play follows Jack Worthing, who while assuming the role of dutiful guardian in the country, lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algernon Moncrieff 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 from which they must carefully navigate.
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Max Webster (“Macbeth,” “Life of Pi”), making his National Theatre debut, reimagines the play.
The cast includes includes Gatwa as Algernon Moncrieff, Hugh Skinner (“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again”) as Jack Worthing, Richard Cant (“Stan & Ollie”) as Reverend Canon Chasuble, Sharon D. Clarke (“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”) as Lady Bracknell and Amanda Lawrence (“Star Wars: Episode – IX The Rise of Skywalker”) as Miss Prism.
The production features 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.
Director of the National Theatre, Rufus Norris, said: “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” plays at the National Theatre’s Lyttelton theater from Nov. 20 through Jan. 25, 2025.
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