Alistair Whatley delivers the informative life story of the famous writer and dramatist Oscar Wilde. From his carefree flamboyant days in Oxford during his time at Magdalen College to his darker times during his incarceration in Reading Gaol where he wrote the famous ballad.
Wilde led a life in a flamboyant style of love, marriage and fame. Whatley wears the green carnation associated with Wilde with pride, a favourite buttonhole flower notoriously worn by Wilde. Carnations happen to be my favourite flowers due to their longevity which other cut flowers fail to have.
Whatley delivers an unfaltering performance in bringing Wilde‘s memory to life from reciting the Ballad of Reading Gaol to the many encounters he met throughout his lifetime, the length of the narrative offers and indepth insight into the man and the creative and the entire performance felt like the words came from the heart in admiration for everything the playwright endured and remained passionate about despite his imprisonment.
Understanding and knowing that Wilde was imprisoned for his sexuality and lifestyle in the world we now live in seems harsh and unfair. Although his plays received the critical acclaim that they deserved at the time and continue to do so, especially The Importance of Being Earnest one of his most popular plays which has been adapted many times by different Theatre Companies.
Wilde is quoted to have said, “There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that it is not being talked about.” To still be talked about over a hundred years after his death it is fair to conclude that Wilde would be thrilled to know this production is continuing to be staged in his memory and admiration of his work and life and audiences are still fascinated by him and continue to study and watch his work.
For more information about The Importance of Being Oscar and future productions at Jermyn Street Theatre please visit the link below.
Four Stars.
Photo credit Marc Brenner.
Theatre, Art and Film Reviews 
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