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Ginger Hibiscus | The Trials of Oscar Wilde Opening at the Trafalgar Studios Next Week
By Ginger Hibiscus | The Trials of Oscar Wilde Opening at the Trafalgar Studios Next Week
The Trials of Oscar Wilde Opening at the Trafalgar Studios Next Week
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07 Oct LOOK AHEAD: West End Transfer for The Trials of Oscar Wilde Previews Open Next Week

Posted at 11:11h in News, West End, West End transfer by Ginger Hibiscus
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Director: Peter Craze
Lighting design: Duncan Hands
Set/Costume design: Dora Schweitzer

Co-writer and artistic director: John O’Connor
Co-rriter: Merlin Holland

Following a 43 date UK Tour and sell out run at St James Theatre, The Trials of Oscar Wilde is transferring to Trafalgar Studios for a strictly limited four week run. Previews of the production start this Monday 13th October, with opening night on 14th October and a special Gala performance on Thursday 16th October, to celebrate Oscar’s 160th birthday. It will run until Saturday 8th November.

Thursday 14 February 1895 was the triumphant opening night of The Importance of Being Earnest and the zenith of Oscar Wilde’s career. Less than 100 days later he found himself a common prisoner and sentenced to two years hard labour. But what happened during the trials, and what did Wilde say? Was he harshly treated or the author of his own downfall? Using the actual words spoken in court, we can feel what it was like to be in the company of a flawed genius – as this less than ideal husband wa tragically reduced to a man of no importance.

‘I am one of those who are made for exceptions, not for laws’ – Oscar Wilde

‘The Trials of Oscar Wilde’ has been co-written with Merlin Holland who is Oscar Wilde’s grandson and acclaimed author of ‘Irish Peacock and Scarlet Marquess: The Real Trial of Oscar Wilde.’

Merlin Holland says: ‘I am absolutely thrilled that the play will be transferring to the West End, especially as the transfer will take place in the same week as his 160th birthday (16th October). The production gained great plaudits as it travelled around the UK with many sell out shows. Over the years, there have been a number of attempts to tell the story of my grandfather on stage but none of them have really managed to bring alive the drama of Oscar’s courtroom appearances.

Using the actual words from the libel trial, recently discovered more than a hundred years after the event, and with a careful reconstruction of Wilde’s prosecution by the Crown for homosexuality, it’s a chance for audiences to see the real Oscar for the first time. This production shows him fighting for his art as well as his life and we get a real sense of Oscar’s intellect at full stretch – his complexity, wit and deep humanity.’

The show features a talented cast familiar from stage and screen, including John Gorick (Holby City), Rupert Mason (Eastenders, A Touch of Frost) and William Kempsell. The Trials of Oscar Wilde is produced by John O’Connor for European Arts Company, is supported by Arts Council England (through the grants for the arts scheme) and by Unity Theatre Trust. The West End run of The Trials of Oscar Wilde will also help to support the educational work of the lesbian, gay and bisexual charity Stonewall.

Dates: 13th October – 8th November 2014
For tickets and information: atgtickets.com/trafalgar-studios
Image credit: Evolutions Photo

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