The Importance of Being Oscar | Yvonne Arnaud

Oscar Wilde, a literary, theatrical and queer icon is a staple in British culture, so it is only right we are able to celebrate him throughout a theatrical love letter. So it is unfortunate that whilst it attempts to encapsulate this idea, The Importance Of Being Oscar fails to catch any of the excitement or abundance that Oscar Wilde oozes throughout any of his work.

Micheál Mac Liammóir's script, whilst packed with consistent references to Wilde's life and achievements, reads more like a TED talk with different anecdotes of his literary history. Unfortunately, this leads for a rather dry viewing experience where potential of life and storytelling drains. Explaining historical facts and then putting a poem or a script anecdote felt slightly one note after the first few times, and led for a predictable viewing experience.

Whilst there was potential within this format, cramming so much into 90 minutes meant that it is a rather rapid-fire delivery; making it difficult to engage as an audience member due to the fast fire of information. Watching as a fan of Wilde's literary works too makes the delivery and angle feel unexpected, the narrative text was very fact based, which is interesting, but does not engage the audience in a Wilde-esque atmosphere.

With review to the script, adding more upbeat moments and joviality could allow something really special to brew underneath, yet this current iteration unfortunately takes an unexpected avenue that leaves audiences longing for more humour and wit.

Understandably, tackling the subject of Wilde's imprisonment takes a darker route, and includes more somber writing which certainly felt apt for the content. The latter half was building towards an interesting and deep analysis of Wilde's so-called crime, but there was also a longing to confront the audacious nature of Wilde's imprisonment further and see more critique against his criminal charge, especially with modern audiences watching.

Michael Fentiman's direction unfortunately feels rather one note, lighting shifts (whilst smooth and effective) are not enough to differentiate between our narrator and anecdotes; making the consistent narrative changes feel repetitive and jarring. Fentiman clearly has a love for Wilde's iconic texts such as his poetry and Earnest, and as a director he really provides space for these anecdotes to live within the piece, but the emphasis upon these made it almost seem more interesting to explore a collection of Wilde's works through some form of showcase rather than this retrospective on Wilde's life.

There is something that just does not mesh throughout these varied collections of fact and literature coming together within a theatrical framework. This could have fared exceptionally well as a documentary, yet the form of this does not feel suited to the stage, which is unfortunate as there is potential in many moments, it just feels lost within the live theatre experience.

Whilst Alastair Whatley shows some strong potential in moments, particularly his Lady Danbury pull which held the audience in utmost delight, the lack of texture and life within the script leaves Whatley drowning and lost within the production. Whately has brilliant vocal

form; the consistent contrast in tone and delivery was brilliant, but this became slightly lost at moments due to volume. This performance felt slightly restrained due to the quietness and once again let the piece feel more connected to film then stage. Many elements would have felt more captivating and engaging with the intimacy film provides, stage felt too large a form for this undertaking.

There is a lack of dandy and fun which makes this a hard watch for those who love Wilde's works such as The Importance of Being Earnest, and sadly leads to the piece lacking of glamour and romance. With revision to the script that allows for further bravery within confronting the problematic means of Wilde's imprisonment and more bold approaches to Wilde's comical and bold atmosphere, this could have been a home run. Yet this production left a want for more than it provided creating a slightly monotone atmosphere, which is not what audiences will expect from an Oscar Wilde tribute.

★★☆☆☆ (2*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography provided by PR