Original Theatre and Reading Rep Theatre have announced a 2027 UK and Jersey tour of Micheál Mac Liammóir’s The Importance of Being Oscar following its critically acclaimed run at Park Theatre.
Directed by Michael Fentiman and starring Original Theatre Artistic Director Alastair Whatley, the one-man show will visit Derby Theatre, Northern Stage in Newcastle, Theatr Clwyd, Reading Rep Theatre, Jersey Opera House and Theatre Royal Bath, with further dates to be announced.
The announcement comes ahead of the 60th anniversary of the Sexual Offences Act 1967, which partially decriminalised consensual homosexual acts between men in England and Wales.
Described as a summoning of Oscar Wilde’s spirit through his own words, The Importance of Being Oscar charts the playwright’s extraordinary life, from his rise to fame and literary success to his imprisonment, exile and final years in Paris.
The production draws on Wilde’s personal letters, some of which remained out of public view for more than half a century, alongside extracts from some of his most celebrated works, including An Ideal Husband, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Earnest and The Ballad of Reading Gaol.
Written and originally performed by Micheál Mac Liammóir, the play enjoyed an extraordinary life of its own, with its creator presenting it more than 600 times around the world between 1960 and 1976.
The current production has already enjoyed acclaimed runs at Reading Rep Theatre, Jermyn Street Theatre and Park Theatre, marking Alastair Whatley’s return to acting after focusing on his role as Artistic Director of Original Theatre.
Alongside Whatley and Fentiman, the creative team includes set and costume designer Madeleine Girling, composer and sound designer Barnaby Race, lighting designer Chris Davey and associate director Pip Minnithorpe.
The tour opens at Derby Theatre from 20 to 21 January 2027 before visiting Newcastle, Mold, Reading, Jersey and Bath.
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
