TTC's WILDE WEEKEND 27th- 28th June 2020 - FREE DIGITAL PROGRAMME OSCAR WILDE A 25-hour continuous read-a-thon to - Hampton Hill ...
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TTC’s WILDE WEEKEND
27th- 28th June 2020
FREE DIGITAL PROGRAMME
A 25-hour continuous read-a-thon to
celebrate the works of the great
Victorian poet, playwright and author
Performed and produced by
OSCAR WILDE the members of
Teddington Theatre Club
WELCOME TO TTC’S WILDE WEEKEND FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Hello and welcome to TTC’s Wilde Weekend. The Coronavirus pandemic and lockdown has forced all of us involved in theatre to be a little more creative than usual. With no physical building in which to perform, we at TTC have resorted to regular Zoom readings to keep us busy. These are great fun but have not enabled us to engage with our audience. So we turned our thoughts to specific “lockdown” projects that were more outward looking. Our “Shakespeare in Solidarity” video was the first of these and its success led us to think of what to do next that would be relevant, fun to do - and entertaining. The thought of a 24 hour “play in a day” turned quickly to a themed event comprising the works of one or two playwrights. The choice of Oscar Wilde was, to use the vernacular, a no brainer. 2020 marks the 125 th year anniversary of Wilde’s conviction and imprisonment for “gross indecency”, which was the crime of being gay. It’s a shocking thought that full decriminalisation of homosexuality in the UK did not occur until the late 20 th century. Our event is in June, which is Pride Month. And as if all of that were not enough, everyone knows a Wilde quote. He penned some of the wittiest and most memorable lines spoken in theatre. He was also an accomplished poet, author of children’s stories, novels and short stories and an extremely well-informed critic and essayist. The breadth of Wilde’s canon of work is incredible. It gave us literally something for everyone to enjoy during this event. Oscar Wilde was the toast of society for many years. He graced the drawing rooms of the rich and famous, entertaining them with his wit and charm. When he fell from grace his lot was to serve hard labour in the Victorian penal system. It broke him. But it gave history a wonderful insight into the cruelty of the system and its effects on individuals when it acted as inspiration for pieces such as The Ballad of Reading Gaol and provided the backdrop to the heart-wrenching De Profundis. Both of these pieces feature in our programme, together with the best of the drawing room comedies, a political drama, a Biblical drama and a good smattering of those poems, stories and essays in between. An event like this does not come together overnight. We’ve been weeks in the planning and our team of over 60 actors and 9 directors have put an amazing amount of time and effort into the project. My sincere thanks to them all for making it happen. Thanks are also due to Rebecca Dowbiggin for kicking off the original idea and TTC’s Board for humouring us.
With just 2 sleeps to go before we kick off I’d like to offer a personal note of thanks to my
partners in crime, Steve Wayman and Daniel Wain for doing so much of the admin and
organisation - and allowing me the opportunity to have a bit of a sleep on Saturday. Also
Wilde Irish Gin who have kindly provided me with my interval refreshments!
Lockdown has been and continues to be a strange place. I hope that this experience
proves to be fun and memorable for audience and participants alike, after all
“Memory….. is the diary that we all carry about with us”
Lottie
Creatives and Crew
Programme Organising Team
Event Artistic Director & Host………..Lottie Walker
Event Artistic Link & Host……………..Daniel Wain
Event Production Manager & Host.… Steve Wayman
Event Concept by…………………Rebecca Dowbiggin
Event Publicity……………………Christine Wayman
Creative Design…………………………..Sarah Carter
Wardrobe Advice……………………..Zoe Harvey Lee
How you can view TTC’s Wilde Weekend
Simply go to the Teddington Theatre Club YouTube channel where the event
will be live streamed. Look for our distinctive red logo:
YouTube address: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUz6zmn4iN4GPB-OV0Oodw
The story of Oscar Wilde – doomed flamboyant genius Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde (1854 – 1900) was born in Dublin, the middle child of three to wealthy professional parents: His mother Lady Jane (nee Elgee) a Dublin socialite, fervent Nationalist, successful poet and journalist; His father Sir William, a leading surgeon and gifted writer, never far from personal scandal. Oscar’s older brother Willie was called to the bar but never practiced, working instead as a journalist, critic and sometime poet. Their little sister Isola died tragically young at just 9 years old. Oscar had a happy childhood with many visits to the countryside, combined with a privileged education. He read voraciously, but only those subjects which he enjoyed. After graduating in Classics from Trinity College Dublin, he’d developed a deep interest in Greek literature, going on to win a demyship to study Classical Moderations and Greats at Magdalen College, Oxford. It was here that Wilde began to develop the persona which made him so notorious a public figure in subsequent years. He dressed flamboyantly, his long hair and clean-shaven face at odds with the conventional code of the time. Armed with a biting wit and illuminating conversation, he made it his business to befriend many famous intellectuals. Though far from diligent in his study regime, his Viva Voce (Oral exam) was such a triumph, it earned him a Double First, to go alongside his prestigious 1878 Newdigate prize for poetry, awarded for his piece Ravenna. So how could this acclaimed scholar, poet and writer, one of the most famous celebrity figures of the late 19th century, die so young, virtually alone and penniless? It was in this period that Wilde established his lifelong habit of living beyond his means. He became an eccentric poster-boy for the new counter-conventional vogue of Aestheticism, depicted (and lampooned by some) as “Art for Art’s sake”. After Oxford he moved to London, becoming the toast of the highest society circles – Writers, Painters, Actors, even the Prince of Wales. But Wilde was unable to forge a living in keeping with his lifestyle. Despite publishing his first book Poems, which received mixed criticism and a small profit, and writing his first play Vera, or the Nihilists which initially he couldn’t get staged, he was forced for financial reasons to accept an offer to go to America on a lecture circuit. His long tour zig-zagging across towns and cities in the USA and Canada was exhausting but largely successful. At the end of it, he went off to Paris to write his next play The Duchess of Padua, a quasi-Shakespearean 16th C tragedy, which also proved unsuccessful.
In 1884 after returning to London, he married Constance Lloyd, daughter of a prominent QC and they had two sons, Cyril and Vyvyan. To support his family, Wilde wrote critical reviews and took on the full time role of Editor for Woman’s World magazine, which enabled him to continue his interest in fashion. He published a book of children’s fairy stories, The Happy Prince and other tales which was (and still is) much loved. His next play Salome, a seductive biblical tragedy, was initially banned from performance by the Lord Chancellor. His first and only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray was heavily criticised, partly because of its homoerotic overtones. He began to have many close relationships with younger men, and in 1891 he started his affair with Lord Alfred Douglas (“Bosie”) who became the love of his life and, paradoxically, led to his downfall . But what followed was his most productive and successful period as a playwright: Lady Windermere’s Fan, A Woman of no Importance, An Ideal Husband and The Importance of being Earnest all followed in quick succession, firmly establishing him as one of the great anti-moralistic playwrights of the English language. These “comedies of manners” which satirise dandies, ingenues and haughty aristocratic ladies have stood the test of time to this very day. Then at the height of his fame, Wilde sued the fiery Marquess of Queensberry (Bosie’s father) for criminal libel, but this backfired as evidence emerged which led to Wilde being tried, and ultimately convicted, for gross indecency with men. In 1895 he was sentenced to two years hard labour. During his incarceration he wrote De Profundis, a long, often dark letter to Bosie recounting their relationship and Wilde’s subsequent spiritual journey. After his release, he exiled himself to France, where he composed what was to be his last piece, a 109-stanza long poem entitled The Ballad of Reading Gaol. Though they were estranged, Oscar continued to love Constance and the boys, but sadly Constance died in 1898. Impoverished, unwell, depressed and living in dingy conditions, Wilde finally succumbed to meningitis in late 1900, aged just 46. This brilliant wit, literary genius, former life and soul of every society party, was unceremoniously laid to rest in a Paris cemetery in the presence of just 56 mourners, although his long-time friend Robbie Ross was by his side. He leaves behind a great legacy of work which we are proud to perform today. Steve Wayman
TIMELINE OF THE WORKS PRESENTED IN WILDE WEEKEND
Oscar Wilde at Oxford, 1876
1880 Portia: A sonnet to Ellen Terry
1881 Poems: A collection including: Requiescat, Impression du Matin, Magdalen Walks,
Chanson, Apologia, The Grave of Keats, The Grave of Shelley, To Milton, Her Voice, My
Voice, A Vision.
A sonnet to Henry Irving: Fabien dei Franchi; Poem: Le Jardin des Tuileries.
1882 The Harlot’s House; Mrs Langtry as Hester Grazebrook; La Mer
1884 To my Wife; Costume
1885 A critic in Pall Mall: A Handbook to Marriage; Henry IV at Oxford; Shakespeare on
Scenery; Dinners and Dishes
1886 A critic in Pall Mall: Twelfth Night at Oxford; Ben Jonson
1887 The Model Millionaire, The Sphinx without a Secret
1888 The Happy Prince, The Remarkable Rocket, The Devoted Friend, The Selfish Giant, The
Nightingale and the Rose
1890 Sonnet to Sarah Bernhardt: Phedre; The Picture of Dorian Gray
1891 House of Pomegranates: The Young King, The Fisherman and his Soul, The Star Child
1892 Lady Windermere’s Fan
1893 A Woman of no Importance
1894 La Sainte Courtisane; Salome; The Sphinx
1895 An Ideal Husband; The Importance of being Earnest; Oscar Wilde Trial Excerpts
1898 The Ballad of Reading Gaol published (written 1897)
1905 De Profundis published (written in 1897)
1908 A Florentine Tragedy published (written c. 1894)Running Order and Cast Lists
All start times are approximate
Saturday 27th June
15:00 Curtain Up Lottie Walker
15:10 The Importance of being Earnest Director: Marc Batten
Stage directions: Caroline Ross
John ("Jack") Worthing, J.P. Rob Wallis
Algernon Moncrieff Matt Dennis
Rev Canon Chasuble, D.D. Loz Keal
Merriman Vaughan Evans
Lane John Bellamy
Lady Bracknell Clare Henderson-Roe
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax Tracy Frankson
Cecily Cardew Heather Stockwell
Miss Prism Enyd Galia
17:20 A handbook to marriage ARTICLE Clare Henderson-Roe
17:25 A Woman of no Importance Director: Daniel Wain
Stage directions: Lara Parker
Lord Illingworth Nigel Cole
Sir John Pontefract Dave Dadswell
Lord Alfred Rufford Daniel Wain
Mr. Kelvil }
David Robins
The Ven. Archdeacon Daubeny }
Gerald Arbuthnot Rob Wallis
Farquhar }
Abbas Krayani
Francis }
Lady Jane Hunstanton Caroline Ross
Lady Caroline Pontefract Sue Bell
Lady Stutfield Jane Stephenson
Mrs. Allonby Roberta Cole
Miss Hester Worsley Shana de Carsignac
Alice Alice Fordham
Mrs. Rachel Arbuthnot Kelly Nicoll
19:50 The Young King STORY Juanita Dahhan Sue Bell
20:20 Twelfth Night at Oxford REVIEW Jane Marcus20:25 Henry IV at Oxford REVIEW Simon Bartlett
20:35 Costume ARTICLE Suzanne Lynch
20:40 Excerpt from the Trial of Oscar Wilde Director/Summariser: Laurie Coombs
Sir Edward Clarke Daniel Wain
Mr Carson Daniel Wain
Oscar Wilde Ian Kinane
21:15 The Ballad of Reading Gaol POEM Director: Deb McDowell
Performed by Brendan Leddy Jim Trimmer David Robins
21:50 The Harlot’s House POEM Shana de Carsignac
21:55 Salome Director & Stage directions: Simon Bartlett
Herod Antibas, Tetrach of Judaea Peter Hill
Herodias Juanita Dahhan
Jokanaan Dave Brickwood
The Young Syrian Jacob Taylor
Tigellinus Loz Keal
A Cappodocian Jim Trimmer
A Nubian Ron Hudson
Salome Mia Skytte-Jensen
First Soldier James Hall
Second Soldier Abbas Krayani
The Page of Herodias Suzanne Lynch
1st Jew Sarah Perkins
1st Nazarene Suzanne Lynch
4 other Jews, 2nd Nazarene, 1 Pharisee, 1
The Company
Sadducee, A Slave
23:10 Requiescat To my Wife POEMS Ron Hudson
23:15 De Profundis LETTER Steve TaylorSunday 28th June
00:55 Mrs Langtry as Hester Grazebrook ARTICLE Clare Cooper
01:00 La Sainte Courtisane Director & Stage directions: Clare Cooper
First Man John Wilkinson
Second Man Daniel Wain
Myrrhina Sarah Perkins
Honorius James Hall
01:20 A Florentine Tragedy Director & Stage directions: Clare Cooper
Guido Bardi Peter Hill
Simone Charles Halford
Bianca Deb McDowell
Maria Lucy Allan
02:15 The Picture of Dorian Gray ABRIDGED NOVEL John Wilkinson
02:35 The Grave of Keats POEMS John Wilkinson
The Grave of Shelley Loz Keal
To Milton Charles Halford
02:45 Her Voice My Voice POEMS Lucy Allan
02:50 The Sphinx without a Secret STORY Charles Halford
03:00 The Sphinx POEM Sarah Perkins
03:20 Magdalen Walks POEMS Lucy Allan
Impression du Matin Ron Hudson
Chanson John Wilkinson
Apologia James Hall
03:30 Shakespeare on Scenery ARTICLE Lottie Walker
03:40 Dinners and Dishes ARTICLE John Gilbert
03:50 Ben Jonson ARTICLE Lottie Walker
04:00 Miscellaneos readings from the works of Oscar Wilde Lottie Walker04:50 The Remarkable Rocket STORY Ruth Chaperlin
05:15 The Fisherman and His Soul STORY Zoe Arden Lydia Kennard
06:30 The Devoted Friend STORY Sarah Carter
07:00 The Happy Prince STORY Sally Halsey
07:20 The Selfish Giant STORY Guy Holloway
07:30 The Star Child STORY Caroline Ross Enyd Galia
08:00 The Model Millionaire STORY Mandy Matthiae John Mortley
08:10 The Nightingale and the Rose STORY Michelle Hood
08:30 Le Jardin des Tuileries POEMS Siân Walters
La Mer Abbas Krayani
08:35 Sonnets to Theatrical Friends
Phedre (Sarah Bernhardt) Simon Bartlett
Fabien dei Franchi (Henry Irving) Gita Singham-Willis
Portia (Ellen Terry) Simon Bartlett
08:45 An Ideal Husband Director: Sally Halsey
Announcer: Sarah Carter
The Earl of Caversham, K.G. John Bellamy
Viscount Goring Ian Kinane
Sir Robert Chiltern Dave Brickwood
Vicomte de Nanjac }
Mason } Daniel Wain
Phipps }
Lady Gertrude Chiltern Heather Stockwell
Lady Markby Zoe Arden
The Countess of Basildon Sally Halsey
Mrs Marchmont Sarah Carter
Miss Mabel Chiltern Lara Parker
Mrs Cheveley Deb McDowell11:40 Lady Windermere’s Fan Director: Mandy Matthiae
Stage directions: Mandy Matthiae
Lord Windermere John Gilbert
Lord Darlington John Mortley
Lord Augustus Lorton David Robins
Mr Dumby Simon Bartlett
Mr Cecil Graham Dave Dadswell
Mr Hopper Matt Dennis
Parker Brendan Leddy
Lady Windermere Mia Skytte-Jensen
The Duchess of Berwick Zoe Harvey-Lee
Lady Agatha Carlisle Lucy Allan
Lady Plymdale Gita Singham-Willis
Lady Stutfield Ruth Chaperlin
Lady Jedburgh }
Siân Walters
Mrs Cowper-Cowper }
Mrs Erlynne Helen Geldert
Rosalie Ruth Chaperlin
13:55 The Importance of being Earnest Director: Nigel Cole
Stage directions: Brendan Leddy
John ("Jack") Worthing, J.P. Jacob Taylor
Algernon Moncrieff Alex Farley
Rev Canon Chasuble, D.D. Daniel Wain
Merriman Jim Trimmer
Lane Jeremy Gill
Lady Bracknell Jane Marcus
Hon. Gwendolen Fairfax Lydia Kennard
Cecily Cardew Jane Stephenson
Miss Prism Laurie Coombs
16:00 approx End of Wilde WeekendTeddington Theatre Club is resident at Hampton Hill Theatre
Company registration number 939448 | Registered charity number 257265
Website: www.teddingtontheatreclub.org.uk
Contact us on social media via:
Facebook: @teddingtontheatreclub
Twitter: @teddington_tc
Instagram: @teddingtontheatreclub
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFUz6zmn4iN4GPB-OV0Oodw
Wilde’s statue, DublinYou can also read
