Oscar©
Sydney
Synopsis
Prologue
April 26, 1895
The trial of famed author Oscar Wilde commences. 10 years earlier, Britain’s Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885 had criminalised all sex acts between men.
Prosecuted for his personal relationships, Oscar’s life and art are scrutinised under a 19th-century lens.
The Nightingale and the Rose
By Oscar Wilde
A lovestruck Student must provide the object of his desire, the Professor’s Daughter, with a red rose to win her affection. As he laments the lack of red roses in the garden, a Nightingale overhears his cries and takes pity on him, vowing to find him a red rose. After finding only yellow and white roses, the Nightingale at last discovers a red rose tree, but it is barren and the only way in which to produce a red rose is to sacrifice herself, singing her sweetest song and piercing her heart with the rose tree’s thorn. As dawn breaks and the Nightingale lies dead, the Student discovers the rose and joyfully presents it to his love. When she rejects him for another suitor, the distraught Student throws the rose to the ground, the Nightingale’s sacrifice has been in vain.
ACT I
Haunted by memories of all he has lost, Oscar Wilde sits in his jail cell with only the figure of his conscience for company. As he recalls a day long ago, the cell is transformed into a safe and loving family picnic where Oscar gathers his children to read them his fairy tale, The Nightingale and the Rose.
As Oscar tells the story, it is intertwined with memories, his life and writing crashing together. The love and respect he has for his wife Constance and their two boys, his stardom in London’s social circles, and his adoration for famous actresses Sara Bernhardt, Lille Langtry and Ellen Terry merge with elements from his fairy tale.
Oscar’s introduction to Robbie Ross is the start of their enduring relationship, first as lovers then as lifelong friends. Constance welcomes Robbie into their home, though she is unaware that Robbie is secretly introducing Oscar to a dark and sensual side of London, opening his eyes to a new and seductive world.
Interval
The Picture of Dorian Gray
By Oscar Wilde
After having his portrait painted by Basil Hallward, Dorian Gray becomes infatuated with his own image and knowing that his beauty cannot last forever, he makes a deal with the devil: in place of his own mortal ageing, the portrait will take on the ravages of life.
Years pass, and Dorian descends into a life of debauchery and criminality. His cruel treatment of actress Sybil Vane troubles the kind-hearted Basil and reveals the first crack in the portrait.
As the painting transforms to reflect the withered soul of Dorian, Basil, who has developed romantic feelings towards him, is blamed for its now grotesque appearance. Dorian reveals the horrific portrait to Basil before murdering him and finally destroying the painting, thus ending his own life.
ACT II
Prison has depleted Oscar’s body and mind. He is isolated, malnourished and has been subjected to hard labour. A bad fall has left him with tinnitus in his right ear. His once dazzling life of riches and success is now only a memory. Fraught with loneliness, Oscar's mind is invaded with scenes from The Picture of Dorian Gray, and memories of his tempestuous relationship with Bosie (Lord Alfred Douglas).
As Oscar and Bosie’s relationship deepens, Bosie becomes bolder, risking their exposure through increasingly dangerous encounters across London’s underworld. Bosie’s father, Lord Queensbury, closes in, determined to see Oscar's reputation destroyed and his eventual conviction.
As Oscar’s life collapses so does Dorian’s, restoring the portrait to its original beauty.
Epilogue
Oscar is released from prison on the 19th of May 1897 and is collected by his friend Robbie Ross. Oscar Wilde’s sparkling wit and brilliant writing live on to this day.
Cast sheets
Select a performance
Friday 8 November 7.30pm
Saturday 9 November 1.30pm
Saturday 9 November 7.30pm
Monday 11 November 6.30pm
Tuesday 12 November 7.30pm
Wednesday 13 November 1.30pm
Wednesday 13 November 7.30pm
Thursday 14 November 7.30pm
Friday 15 November 7.30pm
Saturday 16 November 1.30pm
Saturday 16 November 7.30pm
Monday 18 November 7.30pm
Tuesday 19 November 7.30pm
Wednesday 20 November 7.30pm
Thursday 21 November 7.30pm
Friday 22 November 7.30pm
Saturday 23 November 1.30pm
Saturday 23 November 7.30pm
Oscar Wilde
Jarryd Madden
Constance Wilde
Sharni Spencer
Robbie Ross
Joseph Caley
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Adam Elmes
Lord Queensberry
Timothy Coleman
Oscar's Shadow
Maxim Zenin
Cyril Wilde
Bryce Latham
Vyvyan Wilde
Thomas Gannon
Harri
Marcus Morelli
Zella
Elijah Trevitt
Sarah Bernhardt
Benedicte Bemet
Lillie Langtry
Sara Andrlon
Ellen Terry
Jill Ogai
Nightingale
Ako Kondo
Student
Adam Elmes
Professor's Daughter
Katherine Sonnekus
Dorian Gray
Maxim Zenin
Basil Hallward
Mason Lovegrove
Lord Henry
Jake Mangakahia
Sybil Vane
Samara Merrick
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Jonathan Lo
-
Concertmaster
Matthieu Arama
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Joseph Caley
Constance Wilde
Rina Nemoto
Robbie Ross
Drew Hedditch
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Elijah Trevitt
Lord Queensberry
Steven Heathcote AM
Oscar's Shadow
Jake Mangakahia
Cyril Wilde
Daniel Bryne
Vyvyan Wilde
Yichuan Wang
Harri
Bryce Latham
Zella
Luke Marchant
Sarah Bernhardt
Grace Carroll
Lillie Langtry
Sara Andrlon
Ellen Terry
Benedicte Bemet
Nightingale
Jill Ogai
Student
Elijah Trevitt
Professor's Daughter
Samara Merrick
Dorian Gray
Jake Mangakahia
Basil Hallward
Misha Barkidjija
Lord Henry
Hugo Dumapit
Sybil Vane
Katherine Sonnekus
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Jonathan Lo
-
Concertmaster
Katherine Lukey
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Callum Linnane
Constance Wilde
Sharni Spencer
Robbie Ross
Joseph Caley
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Benjamin Garrett
Lord Queensberry
Steven Heathcote
Oscar's Shadow
Adam Elmes
Cyril Wilde
Bryce Latham
Vyvyan Wilde
Henry Berlin
Harri
Marcus Morelli
Zella
Elijah Trevitt
Sarah Bernhardt
Benedicte Bemet
Lillie Langtry
Grace Carroll
Ellen Terry
Jill Ogai
Nightingale
Ako Kondo
Student
Benjamin Garrett
Professor's Daughter
Katherine Sonnekus
Dorian Gray
Adam Elmes
Basil Hallward
Victor Estévez
Lord Henry
Jake Mangakahia
Sybil Vane
Samara Merrick
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Jonathan Lo
-
Concertmaster
Matthieu Arama
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Jarryd Madden
Constance Wilde
Sharni Spencer
Robbie Ross
Mason Lovegrove
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Adam Elmes
Lord Queensberry
Timothy Coleman
Oscar's Shadow
Maxim Zenin
Cyril Wilde
Bryce Latham
Vyvyan Wilde
Thomas Gannon
Harri
Yipeng Xu
Zella
Elijah Trevitt
Sarah Bernhardt
Dimity Azoury
Lillie Langtry
Sara Andrlon
Ellen Terry
Samara Merrick
Nightingale
Benedicte Bemet
Student
Adam Elmes
Professor's Daughter
Amy Ronnfeldt
Dorian Gray
Maxim Zenin
Basil Hallward
Victor Estévez
Lord Henry
Marcus Morelli
Sybil Vane
Grace Carroll
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Jonathan Lo
-
Concertmaster
Katherine Lukey
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Anne Fraser
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Callum Linnane
Constance Wilde
Sharni Spencer
Robbie Ross
Joseph Caley
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Benjamin Garrett
Lord Queensberry
Steven Heathcote
Oscar's Shadow
Adam Elmes
Cyril Wilde
Daniel Bryne
Vyvyan Wilde
Henry Berlin
Harri
Marcus Morelli
Zella
Elijah Trevitt
Sarah Bernhardt
Isobelle Dashwood
Lillie Langtry
Mia Heathcote
Ellen Terry
Rina Nemoto
Nightingale
Bryce Latham
Student
Benjamin Garrett
Professor's Daughter
Katherine Sonnekus
Dorian Gray
Adam Elmes
Basil Hallward
Victor Estévez
Lord Henry
Jake Mangakahia
Sybil Vane
Samara Merrick
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Jonathan Lo
-
Concertmaster
Matthieu Arama
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Brodie James
Constance Wilde
Dimity Azoury
Robbie Ross
Mason Lovegrove
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Benjamin Garrett
Lord Queensberry
Steven Heathcote
Oscar's Shadow
Adam Elmes
Cyril Wilde
Bryce Latham
Vyvyan Wilde
Thomas Gannon
Harri
Yichuan Wang
Zella
Jake Mangakahia
Sarah Bernhardt
Imogen Chapman
Lillie Langtry
Grace Carroll
Ellen Terry
Samara Merrick
Nightingale
Jill Ogai
Student
Benjamin Garrett
Professor's Daughter
Katherine Sonnekus
Dorian Gray
Adam Elmes
Basil Hallward
Victor Estévez
Lord Henry
Marcus Morelli
Sybil Vane
Samara Merrick
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Joel Bass
-
Concertmaster
Katherine Lukey
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Joseph Caley
Constance Wilde
Rina Nemoto
Robbie Ross
Drew Hedditch
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Elijah Trevitt
Lord Queensberry
Steven Heathcote
Oscar's Shadow
Jake Mangakahia
Cyril Wilde
Daniel Bryne
Vyvyan Wilde
Yichuan Wang
Harri
Bryce Latham
Zella
Luke Marchant
Sarah Bernhardt
Grace Carroll
Lillie Langtry
Sara Andrlon
Ellen Terry
Benedicte Bemet
Nightingale
Jill Ogai
Student
Elijah Trevitt
Professor's Daughter
Samara Merrick
Dorian Gray
Jake Mangakahia
Basil Hallward
Mason Lovegrove
Lord Henry
Hugo Dumapit
Sybil Vane
Katherine Sonnekus
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Jonathan Lo
-
Concertmaster
Matthieu Arama
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Callum Linnane
Constance Wilde
Sharni Spencer
Robbie Ross
Joseph Caley
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Benjamin Garrett
Lord Queensberry
Steven Heathcote
Oscar's Shadow
Adam Elmes
Cyril Wilde
Bryce Latham
Vyvyan Wilde
Henry Berlin
Harri
Marcus Morelli
Zella
Cameron Holmes
Sarah Bernhardt
Benedicte Bemet
Lillie Langtry
Mia Heathcote
Ellen Terry
Samara Merrick
Nightingale
Jill Ogai
Student
Benjamin Garrett
Professor's Daughter
Katherine Sonnekus
Dorian Gray
Adam Elmes
Basil Hallward
Victor Estévez
Lord Henry
Jake Mangakahia
Sybil Vane
Grace Carroll
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Jonathan Lo
-
Concertmaster
Matthieu Arama
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Jarryd Madden
Constance Wilde
Mia Heathcote
Robbie Ross
Mason Lovegrove
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Adam Elmes
Lord Queensberry
Timothy Coleman
Oscar's Shadow
Maxim Zenin
Cyril Wilde
Bryce Latham
Vyvyan Wilde
Thomas Gannon
Harri
Yipeng Xu
Zella
Elijah Trevitt
Sarah Bernhardt
Katherine Sonnekus
Lillie Langtry
Sharni Spencer
Ellen Terry
Yuumi Yamada
Nightingale
Benedicte Bemet
Student
Adam Elmes
Professor's Daughter
Amy Ronnfeldt
Dorian Gray
Maxim Zenin
Basil Hallward
Victor Estévez
Lord Henry
Marcus Morelli
Sybil Vane
Grace Carroll
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Jonathan Lo
-
Concertmaster
Katherine Lukey
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O'Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Brodie James
Constance Wilde
Dimity Azoury
Robbie Ross
Mason Lovegrove
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Benjamin Garrett
Lord Queensberry
Steven Heathcote
Oscar's Shadow
Adam Elmes
Cyril Wilde
Bryce Latham
Vyvyan Wilde
Thomas Gannon
Harri
Yichuan Wang
Zella
Jake Mangakahia
Sarah Bernhardt
Isobelle Dashwood
Lillie Langtry
Amy Ronnfeldt
Ellen Terry
Lilla Harvey
Nightingale
Jill Ogai
Student
Benjamin Garrett
Professor's Daughter
Katherine Sonnekus
Dorian Gray
Adam Elmes
Basil Hallward
Victor Estévez
Lord Henry
Marcus Morelli
Sybil Vane
Samara Merrick
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Joel Bass
-
Concertmaster
Katherine Lukey
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Joseph Caley
Constance Wilde
Rina Nemoto
Robbie Ross
Drew Hedditch
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Elijah Trevitt
Lord Queensberry
Joseph Romancewicz
Oscar's Shadow
Jake Mangakahia
Cyril Wilde
Daniel Bryne
Vyvyan Wilde
Yichuan Wang
Harri
Bryce Latham
Zella
Luke Marchant
Sarah Bernhardt
Ako Kondo
Lillie Langtry
Jade Wood
Ellen Terry
Benedicte Bemet
Nightingale
Jill Ogai
Student
Elijah Trevitt
Professor's Daughter
Samara Merrick
Dorian Gray
Jake Mangakahia
Basil Hallward
Victor Estévez
Lord Henry
Hugo Dumapit
Sybil Vane
Katherine Sonnekus
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Jonathan Lo
-
Concertmaster
Matthieu Arama
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Jarryd Madden
Constance Wilde
Sharni Spencer
Robbie Ross
Mason Lovegrove
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Adam Elmes
Lord Queensberry
Timothy Coleman
Oscar's Shadow
Maxim Zenin
Cyril Wilde
Bryce Latham
Vyvyan Wilde
Thomas Gannon
Harri
Yipeng Xu
Zella
Elijah Trevitt
Sarah Bernhardt
Katherine Sonnekus
Lillie Langtry
Grace Carroll
Ellen Terry
Samara Merrick
Nightingale
Benedicte Bemet
Student
Adam Elmes
Professor's Daughter
Amy Ronnfeldt
Dorian Gray
Maxim Zenin
Basil Hallward
Victor Estévez
Lord Henry
Jake Mangakahia
Sybil Vane
Grace Carroll
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Jonathan Lo
-
Concertmaster
Matthieu Arama
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Anne Fraser
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Callum Linnane
Constance Wilde
Sharni Spencer
Robbie Ross
Joseph Caley
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Benjamin Garrett
Lord Queensberry
Steven Heathcote
Oscar's Shadow
Adam Elmes
Cyril Wilde
Bryce Latham
Vyvyan Wilde
Henry Berlin
Harri
Yipeng Xu
Zella
Elijah Trevitt
Sarah Bernhardt
Benedicte Bemet
Lillie Langtry
Mia Heathcote
Ellen Terry
Jill Ogai
Nightingale
Ako Kondo
Student
Benjamin Garrett
Professor's Daughter
Katherine Sonnekus
Dorian Gray
Adam Elmes
Basil Hallward
Victor Estévez
Lord Henry
Jake Mangakahia
Sybil Vane
Samara Merrick
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Jonathan Lo
-
Concertmaster
Matthieu Arama
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra.
Oscar Wilde
Joseph Caley
Constance Wilde
Rina Nemoto
Robbie Ross
Drew Hedditch
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Elijah Trevitt
Lord Queensberry
Joseph Romancewicz
Oscar's Shadow
Jake Mangakahia
Cyril Wilde
Daniel Bryne
Vyvyan Wilde
Yichuan Wang
Harri
Bryce Latham
Zella
Luke Marchant
Sarah Bernhardt
Dimity Azoury
Lillie Langtry
Jade Wood
Ellen Terry
Benedicte Bemet
Nightingale
Jill Ogai
Student
Elijah Trevitt
Professor's Daughter
Samara Merrick
Dorian Gray
Jake Mangakahia
Basil Hallward
Mason Lovegrove
Lord Henry
Hugo Dumapit
Sybil Vane
Katherine Sonnekus
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Joel Bass
-
Concertmaster
Katherine Lukey
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Brodie James
Constance Wilde
Dimity Azoury
Robbie Ross
Mason Lovegrove
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Benjamin Garrett
Lord Queensberry
Steven Heathcote
Oscar's Shadow
Adam Elmes
Cyril Wilde
Bryce Latham
Vyvyan Wilde
Thomas Gannon
Harri
Yichuan Wang
Zella
Luke Marchant
Sarah Bernhardt
Imogen Chapman
Lillie Langtry
Amy Ronnfeldt
Ellen Terry
Samara Merrick
Nightingale
Jill Ogai
Student
Benjamin Garrett
Professor's Daughter
Katherine Sonnekus
Dorian Gray
Adam Elmes
Basil Hallward
Victor Estévez
Lord Henry
Marcus Morelli
Sybil Vane
Samara Merrick
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Joel Bass
-
Concertmaster
Katherine Lukey
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Callum Linnane
Constance Wilde
Sharni Spencer
Robbie Ross
Joseph Caley
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Benjamin Garrett
Lord Queensberry
Steven Heathcote
Oscar's Shadow
Adam Elmes
Cyril Wilde
Daniel Bryne
Vyvyan Wilde
Henry Berlin
Harri
Yipeng Xu
Zella
Cameron Holmes
Sarah Bernhardt
Isobelle Dashwood
Lillie Langtry
Sara Andrlon
Ellen Terry
Rina Nemoto
Nightingale
Bryce Latham
Student
Benjamin Garrett
Professor's Daughter
Katherine Sonnekus
Dorian Gray
Adam Elmes
Basil Hallward
Victor Estévez
Lord Henry
Marcus Morelli
Sybil Vane
Samara Merrick
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Joel Bass
-
Concertmaster
Matthieu Arama
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Joseph Caley
Constance Wilde
Rina Nemoto
Robbie Ross
Drew Hedditch
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Elijah Trevitt
Lord Queensberry
Joseph Romancewicz
Oscar's Shadow
Maxim Zenin
Cyril Wilde
Daniel Bryne
Vyvyan Wilde
Yichuan Wang
Harri
Bryce Latham
Zella
Luke Marchant
Sarah Bernhardt
Ako Kondo
Lillie Langtry
Jade Wood
Ellen Terry
Lilla Harvey
Nightingale
Jill Ogai
Student
Elijah Trevitt
Professor's Daughter
Samara Merrick
Dorian Gray
Maxim Zenin
Basil Hallward
Mason Lovegrove
Lord Henry
Hugo Dumapit
Sybil Vane
Katherine Sonnekus
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Joel Bass
-
Concertmaster
Katherine Lukey
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O’Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra
Oscar Wilde
Jarryd Madden
Constance Wilde
Mia Heathcote
Robbie Ross
Mason Lovegrove
Lord Alfred Douglas/Bosie
Adam Elmes
Lord Queensberry
Timothy Coleman
Oscar's Shadow
Maxim Zenin
Cyril Wilde
Bryce Latham
Vyvyan Wilde
Thomas Gannon
Harri
Yipeng Xu
Zella
Elijah Trevitt
Sarah Bernhardt
Imogen Chapman
Lillie Langtry
Jade Wood
Ellen Terry
Yuumi Yamada
Nightingale
Benedicte Bemet
Student
Adam Elmes
Professor's Daughter
Amy Ronnfeldt
Dorian Gray
Maxim Zenin
Basil Hallward
Victor Estévez
Lord Henry
Marcus Morelli
Sybil Vane
Grace Carroll
Narrator
Seán O’Shea
-
Conductor
Joel Bass
-
Concertmaster
Matthieu Arama
-
Voice of the Nightingale
Jessica O'Donoghue
-
With Artists of The Australian Ballet and Opera Australia Orchestra