“Wild About Wilde”

Why is amateur theatre so mad about Oscar Wilde? Memories Of West Moon Street

Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime was published, along with other short stories, over 100 years ago in 1891. Yet here we are in 2014 and CDS has just finished performing a play written in 2007, by American, Rob Urbinati, based on this story. So how has a Victorian Irishman had such a resounding influence on British, and indeed international, theatre? In his day, Oscar Wilde was an infamous public figure; a poet and a socialite with flamboyant dress and a rapier-like wit.  With his plays, Wilde sought to critique Victorian society and expose its decadence, hypocrisies and contradictions. Indeed, his only novel, The Picture Of Dorian Gray, caused widespread outrage upon its release. Wilde’s legendary wit is obvious in all his work and his social commentary about the aloof nature of Victorian high society is evident throughout.  In an interview given to Samuel French publishing house, West Moon Street author Rob Urbinati describes his play as ‘a contemporary "take" on a Wilde play.’ When comparing West Moon Street to his earlier play, Hazelwood Jr. High he explains ‘They both deal with a group of characters in a tight social circle who are oblivious, or at least choose to behave as if they were oblivious, to the moral consequences of their behaviour’ (‘Breaking Character’, 2011). From Lady Windermere’s Fan to The Importance Of Being Earnest, Wilde exposed the world to his stark social commentary made palatable by his classic British humour and sense of farce. Whilst his stories have stood the test of time and are still regularly performed on both stage and screen today, he is perhaps most remembered for the many quotes and idioms without which the English language would be considerably the poorer. Codsall Dramatic Society are an award winning amateur theatre group based in Codsall, Wolverhampton. We meet Wednesday nights at 7:30pm at Codsall Village Hall. Why not come an join us as we hunt for out next play! For more CDS info and fun, why not like us on facebook or follow us on twitter @CodsallDramSoc.    1-http://www.breaking-character.com/post/2011/08/01/Focus-on-a-Playwright-Rob-Urbinati.aspx