There has never been anyone quite like Oscar Wilde. Famed as an author, playwright and poet in late Victorian England and then vilified for his homosexuality, his works remain as popular today,125 years after his death, as ever. Original Theatre and the Reading Rep Theatre have revived this dramatised biography, which was originally written and performed in 1960 by Micheál Mac Liammóir.
Alistair Whately’s one man show is a narrative of Wilde’s life, illustrated with quotations from his best-known works: The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Ernest, as well as some of his best-known poems and letters. The first half focuses on his rise from his early life in Ireland to his fame in London for his poems and theatrical works. The second half is darker with his prosecution for homosexuality, imprisonment and self-imposed exile in France, until his death at the age of 46. Surprisingly, given Wilde’s reputation for cutting witticisms, this play is relatively free of them, although the infamous Lady Bracknell scene from the Importance of Being Ernest provides some humour.
The production worked well in the intimate atmosphere of the Jermyn Street Theatre. No set was used, but the performance area consisted of two large neon circles, one on the floor and one standing, which were lit and coloured to demarcate the scenes his life. The lighting, designed by Chris Davey, is one of the outstanding features of this production. It helped break up and bring to life what is otherwise a rather dated text.
Although Wilde’s entire life was a performance, and contained many moments of drama, Whately’s presentation was understated with little attempt to demonstrate the outrageous side of his personality, and only a few impersonations of the characters that featured in his life.
This is a solid, well performed, nicely presented revival, but you will learn little more about Wilde’s life than any online biography would provide.
The Importance of Being Oscar is running at the Jermyn Street Theatre until 19th April. Tickets are available from https://www.jermynstreettheatre.co.uk/show/oscar/
Reviewer: Paul Ackroyd
Reviewed: 1st April 2025
North West End UK Rating: 3