BONUS REVIEW - The Masks of Oscar Wilde - Entertaining & Informative

The show styles itself as a lecture in the form of a play, and I believe that description does this show a disservice. Instead of a lecture, think more along the lines of a revue (and it's appropriately at the Revue Theatre) where the actors are sharing snippets of an artist's work. In this case, scenes from Oscar Wilde's life are included and provide context for his decisions regarding his fall from social grace. The actors were delightful to watch and the play was both informative and entertaining.

My knowledge of Wilde was limited to one play and one children's story. I also knew a little of his trial: that he had been convicted for being a homosexual and it cost him everything that he cared for. The masks that are discussed in this play are indications of the different roles he had throughout his life: man of letters, aesthete, moralist, playwright, etc. And each is significant to represent Wilde's developing values and how they may or may not be reflected in his own behaviour.

In the programme, the playwright Shaul Ezer explains his inspiration from a similarly styled performance of Shakespeare`s sonnets, where the audience`s reaction was of gratitude to be given a better understanding of the works. I believe his play succeeded and I am indeed grateful to have seen this performance.

[NOTE: The website states that the play is written by Shaul Ezer with C.E. Gatchalian.]