Tour dates announced for
Original Theatre and Reading Rep Theatre’s acclaimed production
of Micheál Mac Liammóir’s
The Importance of Being Oscar
directed by Michael Fentiman
and starring Alastair Whatley
Following a critically acclaimed, sold out London run in 2025, co-producers Original Theatre and Reading Rep Theatre present a Spring/Summer 2026 tour of 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.
The Importance of Being Oscar will play Floral Pavillion, New Brighton (30 April-2 May), The Theatre Chipping Norton (12-13 May), Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford (15-16 May), Newbury Corn Exchange (2-3 June), Lichfield Garrick Theatre (4-5 June), Theatre Royal Wakefield (9-10 June), New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich (12-13 June), Malvern Theatres (1-3 July) and Darlington Hippodrome (14-16 July). Further dates are to be announced.
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 Jermyn Street Theatre dates 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.
For more information about The Importance of Being Oscar, visit the production website: oscarplay.co.uk.
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Show: The Importance of Being Oscar
Running Time: 90 minutes
Age suitability: 12+
Content warnings: Please be aware this show contains mild haze and blackouts. At one point during the show, there is also a flash of light towards the audience.
2026 TOUR DATES
Thu 30 April – Sat 2 May Floral Pavillion, New Brighton
Tues 12 – Weds 13 May The Theatre Chipping Norton
https://www.chippingnortontheatre.com/events/the-importance-of-being-oscar
Fri 15 – Sat 16 May Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/whats-on/importance-being-oscar
Tues 2 – Weds 3 June Newbury Corn Exchange
https://cornexchangenew.com/events/the-importance-of-being-oscar
Thurs 4 – Fri 5 June Lichfield Garrick Theatre
ON SALE FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY
Tues 9 – Weds 10 June Theatre Royal Wakefield
ON SALE SOON
Fri 12 – Sat 13 June New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich
ON SALE SOON
Weds 1 – Fri 3 July Malvern Theatres
Tues 14 – Thurs 16 July Darlington Hippodrome
https://www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/whats-on/The-Importance-of-Being-Oscar
Further dates are to be announced.