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Oscar wilde plays ranked7/2/2023 ![]() During the production’s successful run at the St James’s Theatre, Wilde became enthralled in a series of legal battles that ultimately lead to his arrest and prosecution for ‘gross indecency’ with men. The Importance of Being Earnest was Wilde’s last play. The production was received well by critics, and has arguably become Wilde’s most enduring and revived work. The comedic farce satirised Victorian social obligations and the institution of marriage. Wilde wrote perhaps his most famous play, The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) at the height of his fame and popularity. The Importance of Being Earnest (1885) : Success and Prosecution Wilde spent increased time in London hotels and restaurants with his lovers, later forming an intimate friendship with Lord Alfred Douglas. The marriage propelled Wilde further to fame, and facilitated the couple’s opulent London lifestyle.Īfter the birth of Wilde’s second child in 1886, strong rumours began to emerge of Wilde’s homosexual relationships. This print depicting Wilde, published in Vanity Fair, was printed just days before Wilde’s high profile marriage in 1884 to Constance Lloyd, the daughter of Horace Lloyd, a member of Queen Victoria’s legal council. Chromolithographed Print Portrait of Oscar Wilde, published by Vanity Fair on 24th May 1884. He soon found success in London producing a string of societal comedies, such as Lady Windermere ’ s Fan (1892) and An Ideal Husband (1895), which satirised the expectations and behaviours of his own social circle. Wilde returned to London undeterred, continuing to produce poetry, journalism and popular public lectures. Its poor attendances saw it close after just one week. ![]() The play was turned down in London, and instead opened at the Union Theatre, New York in 1883. Wilde produced his first play, Vera, in 1882. Vera (1883): High Society and Societal ComediesĪfter finishing his studies at Trinity College, Dublin and Oxford University, Wilde moved to London and quickly established himself amongst London’s social and cultural elite. Using this material it is possible to trace his dramatic rise to fame, as well as the circumstances of his imprisonment, early death and enduring legacy. These include prints, photographs and printed texts relating to Wilde’s life and work as a playwright. The V&A Theatre and Performance Collections house a wide variety of archives, costume and museum objects. ![]() Among the men to be pardoned was Oscar Wilde (16 October 1854 – 30 November 1900), the Irish playwright, novelist and poet.īetween 18, Wilde produced seven completed plays many of these productions continue to be revived, with Wilde’s legacy influencing theatre, literature, music and politics. ![]() The law posthumously pardoned over 50,000 historic convictions of ‘gross indecency’ and other charges related to homosexual acts. On the 31 st January 2017, Queen Elizabeth II signed the Police and Crime Act. Assistant Curator, Alex Clayton, celebrates LGBT History Month with a blog exploring the career and legacy of Oscar Wilde, using material from the V&A’s Theatre and Performance Collections. ![]()
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