The Importance of Being Oscar
Encyclopedia
The Importance of Being Oscar is a one man show
devised by the soi-disant ("self-styled") Irish
actor Micheál MacLiammóir
and based on the writings of Oscar Wilde
.
It intersperses excerpts from Wilde's plays and other writings with biographical highlights of his life. MacLiammóir performed this show for the first time at the Gate Theatre
, Dublin in 1960, took it to Broadway
under the auspices of Michael Redgrave
's production company, and toured with it all over the world. The show was issued on two LPs by CBS Records
, and televised in Ireland by RTÉ, airing first on Saint Patrick's Day
1964.
MacLiammóir adjusted his performance as new information about Wilde came to his attention; for example, he altered the accent of Wilde's gaoler when he learned that he was from Northern Ireland
.
Since MacLiammóir's death in 1978, the entertainment has been presented by a diversity of other actors in several countries and languages. It had a West End
revival in 1998 at the Savoy Theatre
.
One man show
The term one-man show often referred to comedian, who would stand on stage and entertain an audience. With the advent of feminism, words and phrases such as one-woman show and comedienne have entered the modern-day lexicon....
devised by the soi-disant ("self-styled") Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
actor Micheál MacLiammóir
Micheál MacLiammóir
Micheál Mac Liammóir , born Alfred Willmore, was an English-born Irish actor, dramatist, impresario, writer, poet and painter. Mac Liammóir was born to a Protestant family living in the Kensal Green neighbourhood of London....
and based on the writings of Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde
Oscar Fingal O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish writer and poet. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of London's most popular playwrights in the early 1890s...
.
It intersperses excerpts from Wilde's plays and other writings with biographical highlights of his life. MacLiammóir performed this show for the first time at the Gate Theatre
Gate Theatre
The Gate Theatre, in Dublin, was founded in 1928 by Hilton Edwards and Micheál Mac Liammóir, initially using the Abbey Theatre's Peacock studio theatre space to stage important works by European and American dramatists...
, Dublin in 1960, took it to Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
under the auspices of Michael Redgrave
Michael Redgrave
Sir Michael Scudamore Redgrave, CBE was an English stage and film actor, director, manager and author.-Youth and education:...
's production company, and toured with it all over the world. The show was issued on two LPs by CBS Records
CBS Records
CBS Records is a record label founded by CBS Corporation in 2006 to take advantage of music from its entertainment properties owned by CBS Television Studios. The initial label roster consisted of only three artists; rock band Señor Happy and singer/songwriters Will Dailey and P.J...
, and televised in Ireland by RTÉ, airing first on Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day is a religious holiday celebrated internationally on 17 March. It commemorates Saint Patrick , the most commonly recognised of the patron saints of :Ireland, and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland. It is observed by the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion , the Eastern...
1964.
MacLiammóir adjusted his performance as new information about Wilde came to his attention; for example, he altered the accent of Wilde's gaoler when he learned that he was from Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
.
Since MacLiammóir's death in 1978, the entertainment has been presented by a diversity of other actors in several countries and languages. It had a West End
West End theatre
West End theatre is a popular term for mainstream professional theatre staged in the large theatres of London's 'Theatreland', the West End. Along with New York's Broadway theatre, West End theatre is usually considered to represent the highest level of commercial theatre in the English speaking...
revival in 1998 at the Savoy Theatre
Savoy Theatre
The Savoy Theatre is a West End theatre located in the Strand in the City of Westminster, London, England. The theatre opened on 10 October 1881 and was built by Richard D'Oyly Carte on the site of the old Savoy Palace as a showcase for the popular series of comic operas of Gilbert and Sullivan,...
.