The Importance of Being Oscar
Photo by Marc Brenner.
Review by Lisa Butler.
‘The Importance of Being Oscar’ is a revival of a one man play written and originally performed by Micheál Mac Liammóir at the Gate Theatre, Dublin in 1960, and the play has lost none of its impact over time. It weaves excerpts from Oscar Wilde’s work with highlights from his life to give a sense of what it was like to be Wilde and live in the late Victorian era; in a world where he was publicly shamed and imprisoned for who he chose to love. A journey through his life that was full of love, loss, success and struggle - it is nothing like a simple biography but full of his work and gives an emotional tour of what it was like to be Oscar.
Oscar is played by Alastair Whatley, in a captivating performance that, across two 45 minute acts, transports you through Wilde’s life, not just giving the audience a biographical journey through his short 46 years, but making you feel how Wilde felt through the highs of his wit and the lows of the tragedies in his life. When he talks about having his two children taken away from him, it makes you want to weep for the injustice of it. The play portrays Wilde as a loveable charmer, as well as a literary genius, but we don’t just see and hear Wilde, there is a whole array of other characters all seamlessly portrayed by Whatley, switching from one to another in rapid succession.
It takes a very accomplished actor to speak flawlessly for so long without pause or hesitation, in all the different roles and accents that he does, and Whatley certainly is that, though it was saddening to see him perform to a half empty auditorium.
Photo by Marc Brenner.
It was an interesting tour through the highlights of Wilde’s life that kept the audience transfixed throughout the performance and has meant that this West End quality show has had numerous well-deserved five-star reviews. I recommend you read the programme to learn even more about Oscar Wilde, but also about the playwright. There is a fascinating article in the programme written by Simon Callow, who not only met and worked for Micheál, but also played Oscar in a previous revival of this play.
Although it originates from 1960, the play had West End revivals in 1997 and then last year at the Jermyn Street Theatre, and is now touring the UK.
Much as I thoroughly enjoyed Whatley and his performance in this well written play, I have to mention the lighting, as did the people sitting behind me. The staging is a central, circular, slightly raised platform that is rimmed with LED lights, and this is echoed by a loop of the same size fixed vertically to form a clam-shell like backdrop, also with LED lights. Both circles of light spent a lot of time burnt into the back of my eyes, bright against the deep contrast of a blacked-out background and floor in an uncomfortable, migraine-inducing way. These lights, and the two banks of lights mounted vertically to each side of the platform, were all used to great effect and should in no way detract from the fantastic performance from Whatley, but I did find this dramatic staging exceptionally hard on tired eyes.
Despite the lighting, I had a fascinating evening where I didn’t just see and hear Oscar Wilde brought to life, I felt what it was to have been Oscar, and got a glimpse of what it must have been like to be so constrained and shamed for just being himself.
Few plays of this quality go on tour, so get yourself a front row seat and prepare to be swept away to Victorian England with a charismatic guide.
The Importance of Being Oscar is at New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich until 13 June.
FOR SHOW DETAILS AND BOOKING LINK, CLICK HERE