Showing results by author "Oscar Wilde" in Entertainment & Performing Arts

A sparkling collection of the major works of the ever-adored Oscar Wilde, with incredible casts including Judi Dench, Martin Clunes, Michael Sheen, Miriam Margolyes, Ian McDiarmid, Joely Richardson, Penelope Keith, Martin Jarvis, Diana Rigg, Simon Russell Beale, Sheila Hancock, Ian McKellen and Stephen Fry.

A BBC Radio full-cast dramatisation of Wilde's gothic masterpiece. When Dorian Gray gazes upon his portrait, he is struck by his own youth and beauty and makes a wish that they will last forever. Gradually, his simple good nature is corrupted with the help of his hedonistic friend Lord Henry...

A wonderfully charming recording available for the first time as a digital download. Jack Worthing lives in the country with his budding young ward Cecily Cardew and her fusspot governess, Miss Prism. To escape his situation, Jack invents a brother named Ernest who lives in London and frequently...

This is a selection of the early poetry of Oscar Wilde, selected by Robert Ross. As he puts it, "It is thought that a selection from Oscar Wilde’s early verses may be of interest to a large public at present familiar only with the always popular Ballad of Reading Gaol, also included in this volume. The poems were first collected by their author when he was twenty-six years old, and though never, until recently, well received by the critics, have survived the test of NINE editions. Readers will be able to make for themselves the obvious and striking contrasts between these first and last ...

Oscar Wilde's poem Ravenna won the prestigious Newdigate Prize for Poetry at Oxford University. It was recited by the author in the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford on June 26th 1878. The poem describes Wilde's reaction to his first visit to Ravenna in Italy. Many of the other poems in this recording also reflect Wilde's great love of Italian life and culture. Some also show his admiration for the English Romantic Poets, Keats, Shelley and Byron. (Summary by Alan Mapstone)

LibriVox volunteers bring you 22 recordings of From Spring Days to Winter by Oscar Wilde. This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for January 5, 2025. ------ Oscar Fingal O'Fflahertie Wills Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. - Summary by Wikipedia

Step into the witty world of Oscar Wildes most celebrated play, where two dapper bachelors, Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, cleverly navigate their social lives with the help of invented identities. However, their charming fabrications unravel in amusing fashion when love enters the scene, embodied by the enchanting Gwendolyn Fairfax and the sweet Cecily Cardew. As the gentlemen scramble to untangle their tangled web of lies to win their hearts and face the formidable Lady Bracknell, a delightful chaos ensues. Join us for an entertaining journey filled with humor and romance, expertly ...

Considered one of the greatest filmmakers of the twentieth century, legendary director, producer, and screenwriter Orson Welles was also an acclaimed actor, whose distinctive voice commanded attention. In this recording, Welles offers historic interpretations of excerpts from classic literature. This collection features time-honored works by several distinguished contributors, including American authors Nathaniel Hawthorne and Edgar Allan Poe, as well as Joseph Conrad, Rudyard Kipling, Saki, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Oscar Wilde.

Experience the haunting tale of Salome, originally penned in French in 1891 and later translated into English. This one-act play unfolds the dramatic Biblical narrative of Salome, the captivating stepdaughter of Herod Antipas. In a twist of fate that delights her mother, Herodias, Salome boldly requests the head of Iokanaan (John the Baptist) on a silver platter, following her mesmerizing Dance of the Seven Veils. Join us as we delve into this timeless story of desire, power, and consequence. (Summary by Wikipedia) Cast Herod Antipas Mark Penfold, Iokanaan Bruce Pirie, The Young Syrian Kim ...

A Woman of No Importance is a brilliant play by the renowned Irish playwright Oscar Wilde, first performed on April 19, 1893, at London’s Haymarket Theatre. This captivating work showcases Wildes sharp wit and his unique brand of dark comedy, delving into the intricacies of English upper-class society. Since its debut, it has been staged across Europe and North America, proving its enduring relevance and charm. (Summary by Wikipedia) Cast Lord Illingworth Peter Bishop, Sir John Pontefract Ernst Pattynama, Lord Alfred Rufford Bob Gonzalez, Mr. Kelvil, M.P. Nigel Boydell, The Ven. Archdeacon ...

Wilde's tradegy that tells the Biblical story of Salomé in one act. Full-cast dramatization featuring Lester Fletcher, Jack Evans, Forrest Williams and Bettye Ackerman.

Wilde’s meditation on capital punishment, the Ballad of Reading Gaol comes after he was convicted and imprisoned under charges of gross indecency. The charges stemmed from his affair with Lord Alfred Douglas, the son of the Marquis of Queensberry. It relates the story of an execution of a man who murdered his wife which Wilde witnessed during his internment. Published in 1898, it was Wilde’s last published poem as he would die in 1900 from cerebral meningitis, caused by syphilis.(Summary by John Gonzalez)

In 1895, Oscar Wilde was sentenced to 2 years of hard labor for acts of ‘gross indecency’. During his time at Reading Gaol, he witnessed a rare hanging, and in the three years between his release and his untimely death in 1900, was inspired to write the following poem, a meditation on the death penalty and the importance of forgiveness, even for (and especially for) something as heinous as murdering one’s spouse; for even the murderer, Wilde argues, is human and suffers more so for being the cause of his own pain, for ‘having killed the thing he loved’; for everyone is the cause of ...

This is a volume of poetry by Oscar Wilde, containing some of his rather famous longer poetry in the first part, and a section of sonnets in the second part of the book. - Summary by Carolin

LibriVox volunteers bring you 19 recordings of The Harlot's House by Oscar Wilde. This was the Fortnightly Poetry project for June 9, 2024. ------ Oscar Fingal O'Flaherty Wills Wilde was an Irish poet and playwright. After writing in different forms throughout the 1880s, he became one of the most popular playwrights in London in the early 1890s. - Summary by Wikipedia

Join me for a captivating solo rendition of Oscar Wildes timeless play, The Importance of Being Earnest. In this unique recording, I take on every role, including stage directions, bringing the characters and their witty banter to life. If youre seeking a more traditional dramatic experience, I recommend exploring LibriVoxs fantastic recordings featuring multiple performers. Wildes brilliant humor and sharp social commentary are on full display as we follow two young English gentlemen who fall head over heels for two lovely young ladies—each captivated by the name Earnest. However, the truth...

Oscar Wilde (1854 – 1900) was a renowned Irish playwright, novelist, poet, and short story author, celebrated for his sharp wit and flamboyant personality. His masterpiece, The Importance of Being Earnest, explores the complexities of love, the pitfalls of assumed identities, and the importance of honesty in a society rife with pretense. Join us as we delve into the comedic yet thought-provoking world of Jack Worthing and Algernon Moncrieff, brought to life by a talented LibriVox cast. (Summary by Toby Paradis and Wikipedia)

Dive into the world of Oscar Wilde with two captivating fragments an unfinished piece and a lost gem. A Florentine Tragedy is Wilde’s most notable foray into tragedy, marked by its intense, domestic setting and an unexpected depth of character development. This poignant work was later transformed into an opera by Austrian composer Alexander Zemlinsky in 1917. Meanwhile, La Sainte Courtisane, also known as The Woman Covered in Jewels, delves into one of Wildes enduring themes the intricate dance between religious hedonism and pagan devotion. Both plays are imbued with Wildes signature style, ...

Explore the intricate dance of societal expectations and personal identity in a world where appearances often overshadow authenticity. This podcast invites you to engage with narratives that question the roles we play and the masks we wear, all with a touch of wit and satire. Each week, we feature a different complete audiobook that offers unique insights into the human condition, showcasing a diverse range of perspectives, epochs, and literary styles. This isn't a single story but a rotating collection that encourages listeners to reflect, learn, and escape into different worlds. New books ...

Lady Cheveley, arrampicatrice sociale, sta per distruggere il felice matrimonio dei Chiltern, ma..