David Suchet stars as Lady Bracknell in Wilde's Earnest

David Suchet will star in a new production of Oscar Wilde's comedy The Importance of Being Earnest which will open in the West End on 1 July 2015 following previews from 24 June 2015.

Suchet will star as the formidable Lady Bracknell, in a new production directed by Adrian Noble. No venue has been confirmed, but it is being produced by Kim Poster for Stanhope Productions, and Nica Burns and Nimax Theatres, so is expected to go into one of their West End venues, which includes The Apollo, The Duchess, The Garrick, The Palace, The Vaudeville, and The Lyric.

Wilde's 1895 comedy is described as a "trivial comedy for serious people", and follows two bachelor friends, upper crust dandy Algernon Moncrieff and the most reliable John Worthing. The pair are forced to lead double lives in order for them to court the attentions of the desirable Gwendolyn Fairfax and Cecily Cardew. As they both pretend to be the person in order to woo their lady, they end up having to face the consequences of their ruse, as well as the formidable Lady Bracknell.

David Suchet is perhaps best known for playing the role of Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie's 'Poirot' on television. He is one of Britain's most respected stage actors, and was most recently seen in the West End in 'Long Day's Journey Into Night', and 'All My Sons' at the Apollo Theatre. Director Adrian Noble was Artistic Director of the RSC from 1990 to 2003 and his wide range of West End credits includes the world premiere of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' at the London Palladium.

Wilde's play is frequently performed in the West End and around the UK. Another West End production directed by Lucy Bailey opens at the Harold Pinter Theatre on 17 July 2014, following previews from 27 June starring Nigel Havers and Sian Phillips.