The most entertaining English Literature lesson you could hope for.
It is a moving prospect walking into the Pentland Theatre at the artsdepot tonight. Any fan of Oscar Wilde will recognise, first, a canvas on stage (undeniably relating to 'The Picture of Dorian Gray') and then the dusty surroundings of a forgotten attic. Even for those who haven’t followed the life of Wilde in detail, this is the perfect setting to learn about a man who went so dramatically from "...a moment of fame to a lifetime of infamy".
Alastair Whatley takes centre stage as the lights go up, in order to introduce us to the life and works of one of England's most notorious writers. It's a one-man show and Whatley's talent and enthusiasm for the subject are instantly clear through his physicality. His primary role is to act as narrator so he can lead us on a step-by-step journey through Wilde's turbulent life. Impressively, he also manages to morph into different characters from Wilde's most popular works. This is no easy task – as you can imagine – but Whatley's varying tone of voice and articulation is quite staggering.
The first notable work described is 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'. An infamous tale in itself, Whatley attempts to depict the plot by relating it to a young man in Wilde's life named Lord Alfred Douglas. The set and structure is obviously a key part of Whatley's performance but it lets him down when a voiceover is incorporated into his scene as Dorian. Normally effective in a dramatic sense, in a one-man show it only detracts from the talent on stage.
Whatley then tackles 'The Importance of Being Earnest' and makes the ironic point that Wilde didn't consider this attribute so important himself. Whatley captivates the audience with humour as he transforms himself into Lady Bracknell interviewing John Worthing. The theatre is filled with laughter as he goes on to make a point about Liberal Unionists being the same as Tories (very topical I think!).
As the attic set darkens and begins to resemble a prison, the play takes a darker turn as Wilde's homosexual connotations are examined. Whatley spends an engrossing ten minutes reciting 'De Profundis', a letter written by Wilde to Alfred Douglas.
The play draws to an end with Wilde's descent into destitution from decadence as Whately examines the melancholy 'The Ballad of Reading Gaol'. Perhaps too dark a note to finish on for such a celebrated writer, but it's only accurate since Wilde wasn't half as appreciated when he was alive as he is now. Whatley describes him now as "...a bell in the world of art and letters" a welcome and lingering positive image.
This play would most accurately be described as the most captivating English literature lesson you could ever hope for and, Wilde fan or not, well worth a try...
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