National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being EarnestPG

Directed by Max Webster | UK | 2025 | 2h 50m | Starring Sharon D Clarke, Ncuti Gatwa, Hugh Skinner, Amanda Lawrence, Shereener Browne.

Three-time Olivier Award-winner Sharon D Clarke is joined by Ncuti Gatwa (Doctor Who; Sex Education) in this joyful reimagining of Oscar Wilde’s most celebrated comedy. While assuming the role of a dutiful guardian in the country, Jack lets loose in town under a false identity. Meanwhile, his friend Algy adopts a similar facade. Hoping to impress two eligible ladies, the gentlemen find themselves caught in a web of lies they must carefully navigate. Max Webster (Life of Pi) directs this hilarious story of identity, impersonation and romance, filmed live from the National Theatre in London.

Reviews

‘A flawless piece of comic theatre’
★★★★★
Cindy Marcolina, Broadway World

‘Ncuti Gatwa leads a Wilde party of irresistible anarchic charm’
★★★★
Arifa Akbar, The Guardian

Sorry - you missed it!

We showed National Theatre Live: The Importance of Being Earnest between March 2, 2025 and March 6, 2025.

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What else is on?

Today (Tuesday 8th September)

17:45

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£6 for Members
2h
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20:30

Nine to Five 15
£6 for Members
1h 49m
Fed up with their sexist boss, Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin and Dolly Parton hatch a plan to take over their office, turning workplace revenge into one of the sharpest comedies of its era. Screening in memory of the late, great Dolly Parton.

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Tomorrow (Wednesday 9th September)

15:00

Holy Days 12A
1h 41m
Three unconventional nuns set out across New Zealand to retrieve their convent's deeds. When a snowstorm derails their journey, they confront loss and forgiveness. Nathalie Boltt's road-trip comedy stars BAFTA winners Judy Davis and Miriam Margolyes.

Book here

19:30

& Sons 15
2h
A reclusive novelist, convinced he's dying, summons his estranged sons and reveals a secret that draws his ex-wife back into the fold. Academy Award nominees Bill Nighy and Imelda Staunton lead this darkly comedic drama, alongside George MacKay and Dominic West.

Book here


Plan your visit

Our beautiful art deco inspired auditorium can be found just off East Oxford's Cowley Road.We are open 7 days a week. We open the cinema and box office 30 minutes before the scheduled start time of each film, and the Box Office then closes 10 minutes after the film starts. We only show a few adverts – less than most cinemas – and we only play a couple of trailers, so please don’t be late as the film itself starts very close to the advertised time!