This April, lucky theatre lovers have a unique opportunity see a powerful and moving dramatisation of the tragic downfall of Oscar Wilde in the intimate and sumptuous surroundings of the Royal Pavilion Music Room.
CO-written by Merlin Holland, Wilde’s only grandson, and actor/director John O’Connor, the Trials of Oscar Wilde draws on original court transcripts to bring to life the three scandalous trials which ruined the life and reputation of one of our greatest ever writers.
Wilde may now be a gay icon and his genius celebrated worldwide, but at the time his ultimate conviction for gross indecency led to a prison sentence of two years hard labour and to his subsequent exile, decline and death in France.
During the trials did Wilde sacrifice himself for truth and art? Was Wilde’s downfall a result of his own arrogance and vanity?
Co-writer O’Connor writes: “Oscar Wilde is many people’s ideal dinner guest but it’s difficult to imagine how he actually spoke. However, thanks to the transcripts of the trials, we can hear Wilde’s true voice in all its exasperating brilliance. It’s exciting to discover that he did talk in perfectly formed epigrams and paradoxes but the Old Bailey was far too dangerous a place to do that. The stakes couldn’t have been higher. Wilde deflects, stumbles and feints like a boxer up against the ropes but he meets his match in the British Establishment. His wit is incomparable, his humanity a triumph but his tragedy makes him immortal.”
The Trials of Oscar Wilde will be performed at Brighton Pavilion’s spectacular Music Room for two nights only on April 10 and 11. Tickets £32.50 or £29 for Royal Pavilion members.
To book call 03000 290 902 or click here:
Event: The Trials of Oscar Wilde
Where: Royal Pavilion, Music Room, 4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton BN1 1EE
When: Wednesday, April 10 and Thursday, April 11
Time: Doors open 7.30pm – performance starts at 8pm
Cost: £32.50 – member £29.00 (includes interval glass of white wine.soft drink in the Banqueting Room).