The Importance of being Oscar
27 July 2026
Park Theatre
4.0 out of 5.0 stars
The Importance of Being Oscar, currently running at the Park Theatre until the 22 August, is a gorgeous love letter to Oscar Wilde, leading through his entire life in a touching 110 minute production. Through storytelling and Wilde’s own words, the show follows his extravagant life, from his biggest successes to his devastating fall from grace and death.
The stage for this one really sets the scene, two large illuminated circles, almost like an open shell presenting the performer, plunge the rest of the theatre into darkness by high contrast, laying sharp focus from the first moment. There’s an air of reverence to the performance, retelling Wilde’s most salacious moments and most impactful writing with respect and powerful emotion. From the comedic highlights to the most touching emotional poetry, Wilde’s life is examined, retold, relived.
Alastair Whatley is outstanding in this one-hander, commanding the audience with a strong stage presence that pulls everyone’s focus, reverently reciting poems and gently leading through Wilde’s life. Falling somewhere between a retrospective and a revival, The Importance of Being Oscar is incredibly touching and unfortunately still current and important in today’s shifting climate. A piece of history that is as significant as it is heartbreaking.
