Oscar Fingal O’Fflahertie Wills Wilde is a highly regarded Irish author, poet, and playwright who lived and worked during the nineteenth century. Flamboyant and ahead of his time, Wilde led an extraordinary life and was romantically linked to men and women. He is best known for his comedy play The Importance of Being Ernest and the gothic novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. Both of which are still studied on education curriculums today.

The Importance of Being Oscar is an outstanding solo performance by Alistair Whatley exploring and reciting Oscar Wilde’s life and loves “no holds barred” and his famous poem “The Ballad of Reading Gaol” each piece Whatley recited is done perfectly word for word.

Whatley never falters throughout both acts of the performance. Changing his tone to match the mood of what is taking place in Wilde’s life at the time. From his marriage to Constance Wilde and the birth of their two children to his incarceration into Reading Gaol for “gross indecency.”

The performance is both entertaining and educational about the ups and downs in Wilde’s life. Although from what I have learned about the playwright, he lost interest in things quite quickly and was always ready for his next adventure, leaving behind him a trail of hurt and people who felt abandoned by him. Even his children changed their names so as not to be linked with him, which must have been hurtful to all parties. Certain friends remained loyal until the end.

The piece was originally written and performed by Micheál Mac Liammóir in 1960 using material from Wilde’s letters, plays, and other biographical writings about the famous playwright that explored every aspect of his life.

Despite Wilde’s troubled lifetime and unfortunate spell in prison, for a crime no longer chargeable in today’s courts. The flamboyant and creative writer has left behind an incredible legacy that thousands of Wilde fans still read and go to watch adaptations of his plays every year. For the serious fans, you can join “The Oscar Wilde Society.”

As Wilde one said  “You will always be fond of me. I represent to you all the sins you never had the courage to commit.” Perhaps this is one of the reasons many are still fascinated by Wilde today and want to learn more about his life and loves. I think he would love nothing more than still being talked about after more than a hundred years after his death.

For more information about The Importance of Being Oscar and future productions at The Corn Exchange in Newbury.

Five Stars.

Photo credit Mark Senior.

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