The Importance of Being Oscar

‘Life is far too important a thing ever to talk seriously about.’

Micheál Mac Liammóir’s renowned play The Importance of Being Oscar returns to the stage following huge critical acclaim.

Step beyond the footlights into the private world of Oscar Wilde.

Told in the shadows of Reading Gaol, where Wilde was imprisoned, this strictly limited run will immerse audiences in a compelling journey through the loves and losses, successes and struggles of the iconic man – from the eccentric socialite to the imprisoned outcast.

A beautiful tribute to an icon of the world of theatre, liberally laced with Wilde’s signature wit and wisdom and featuring excerpts of many of his best-loved works including An Ideal Husband, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Earnest and The Ballad of Reading of Gaol. This one man show promises to be a Wilde-ly entertaining night.

Directed by Michael Fentiman (Amelie, Jekyll & Hyde, The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe) and co- produced with the multi award-winning Original Theatre who brought you the hit tours of Agatha Christie’s The Mirror Crack’d, Being Mr Wickham and Alan Bennett’s The Habit of Art.

Join us for a post-show discussion with Andrew Mangham (Chair) Professor of Victorian Literature and Medical Humanities at The University of Reading, John Scholar Lecturer of English Literature at The University of Reading, Sos Eltis Professor at The University of Oxford, Geoff Sawers author of an account of Oscar Wilde’s Incarceration in Reading Gaol, and Alastair Whatley, performer.