Ep 251 – “Vengeance – The Demise of Oscar Wilde”, performed at the Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith

This week… We’re at the Hammersmith Irish Cultural Centre in London to watch the production of “Vengeance – The Demise of Oscar Wilde”. Produced by John Merrigan with music by Danielle Morgan, this impressive stage production charts the life and ultimate downfall of Oscar Wilde.

Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde was born in Dublin, 1854. He went on to be one of Ireland’s greatest playwrights. His mother, Jane Wilde, was a poet and ardent Irish nationalist. She was highly influential force in Oscar’s life. Oscar’s father, William Wilde was a leading Dublin ear and eye surgeon.

Oscar Wilde became part of London’s flamboyant fashionable society and, in his day, was one of the most well-known personalities.

His downfall started when he attempted to prosecute the Marquess of Queensbury for libel. Queensbury just happened to be the father of Oscar’s lover and the subsequent court case revealed evidence of Wilde’s “gross indecency”. After two trials, Oscar Wilde was sentenced to two years’ hard labour, not an easy thing for anybody, let alone a London socialite.

This fabulous touring musical stage play features original songs and accurately charts Wilde’s life from the London opening of “The Importance of Being Ernest” to his death five years later.

We talk to the production team, the cast and excited audience members.

For more information…
Follow the musical… vengeancemusical.com
Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith… irishculturalcentre.co.uk

Watch the Irish in the UK every Thursday night at 7.30pm on SKY 191 or Freesat 162. Repeated on Tuesday at 1 pm