"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." That’s what Oscar Wilde constantly wrote about: the lies and deceptions we put forth in order to create the public image we so desire. Be it 1895 or 2014, not much changes in human nature. Earnest opened on February 14, 1895, at the St. Jame's Theatre in London to a packed house. It was the last play Wilde would ever write.
Oscar Wilde made fun of his aristocratic society, but never with sarcasm. He made us laugh at ourselves although we generally believed it must be someone else. All his plays were comedies except Salome, which was refused a license for England due to the absolute prohibition of Biblical subjects on the English stage. During our rehearsal process we found that style may change but sub-text never.
Known for his biting wit, flamboyant dress and glittering conversation, Wilde became one of the best-known personalities of his day. The recent terribly sad passing of Robin Williams made me think of Wilde and the last years of his life. Two brilliant souls who outwardly always found the humor in life to lessen their emotional pain.
I end by thanking you all for coming. Enjoy the show and laugh a lot. Oh, and the initial quote does not belong to Shakespeare but to Sir Walter Scott.
~ Anita Sorel
