The Importance of Being Oscar in Wakefield

Original Theatre and Reading Rep Theatre are bringing Micheál Mac Liammóir’s celebrated play The Importance of Being Oscar, directed by Michael Fentiman (Amelie, Jekyll & Hyde, The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe) and starring Original Theatre’s Artistic Director Alastair Whatley, to Theatre Royal Wakefield from Tuesday 9 to Wednesday 10 June 2026, as part of a UK tour.

Oscar Wilde was a dandy of speech, a dandy of manner, a dandy of dress, and a dandy, even, of ideas and intellect. He fell in love with eccentric socialites, travelled to America with nothing to declare except his genius, and found worldwide success as a playwright. This is the story of how his life of fame, glamour, and romance led him to become an imprisoned outcast. 

The Importance of Being Oscar immerses audiences in a compelling journey through the loves and losses, successes and struggles of the man. It is a beautiful tribute to an icon of the world of theatre, liberally laced with Wilde’s signature wit and wisdom and featuring excerpts of many of his best-loved works including An Ideal Husband, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Earnest and The Ballad of Reading of Gaol.

The one-man show’s run at Reading Rep Theatre in 2024, and subsequent critically acclaimed, sold out London run in 2025 at Jermyn Street Theatre, marked Alastair’s return to the stage, with Alastair having last performed in 2017 in the New York transfer of Original Theatre’s production of Torben Betts’ Invincible. Alastair’s other acting credits include Birdsong, The Importance of Being Earnest, Three Men in a Boat, See How They Run, Twelfth Night, Vincent in Brixton, Dancing at Lughnasa and Henry V (RSC).

Director Michael Fentiman said: “I am delighted Original Theatre will be taking our production of The Importance of Being Oscar on tour. Alastair is such a delight in this piece and it’s wonderful more people are going to get the chance to see him in it. It’s going to be a real pleasure to delve into the shadows of Oscar’s genius and tragic history, once more.”

Set and Costume Design are by Madeleine Girling, Lighting Design is by Chris Davey, and Composition and Sound Design are by Barnaby Race.

The Importance of Being Oscar plays at Theatre Royal Wakefield Tuesday 9 to Wednesday 10 June 2026. Tickets are available here.