Latest news with #Wilde
Irish Independent
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Madeleine Keane on books: Oscar Wilde's reader's card is ‘uncancelled' by the British Library, 130 years on
Plus the Cork Midsummer Festival, and something for Beatles fans too Today at 09:30 After 130 years, the British Library plans to symbolically reinstate the reader pass that belonged to Oscar Wilde. Wilde was officially excluded from the Library on June 15, 1895, following the trial and conviction he faced as a result of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885, which criminalised acts of 'gross indecency' between men.
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Oscar Wilde's reader pass reinstated: Perhaps the library ought to pay a fine
Quoting Oscar Wilde is usually an exercise in creative writing, a test of one's aphoristic talents; if there's nothing handy, just make something up. In that spirit, here's how he might have reacted to his British Library reader pass being reinstated 130 years after its cancellation following his conviction for 'gross indecency': 'Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much.' That's one of those wild(e) witticisms, of uncertain lineage, that prowl the drawing rooms of the internet. Wilde was convicted in 1895 and sentenced to two years' hard labour after he fell afoul of the Marquess of Queensberry, who had found out that the Irish playwright and his son, Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas, were lovers and accused him of being a 'sodomite'. The hardships of imprisonment shaped the emotional and spiritual meditation that was De Profundis, written as a letter to Douglas. Exile, penury and death followed soon after his release. It would take nearly 70 years for consensual homosexual acts between men over 21 to be decriminalised in England, and another half-century for more than 50,000 people convicted of the former offence to be pardoned posthumously. The pardons were issued under a piece of legislation popularly known as the Alan Turing law — after the pioneering computer scientist who was subjected to the cruelty of chemical castration for his sexual orientation. Whether Wilde was among those pardoned is a little ambiguous as no names were released. In any case, as his grandson told a UK newspaper, 'all it would do is make the British establishment feel better about itself… History's history, and you can't start rewriting it.' Nevertheless, an acknowledgement of past injustice and persecution is always welcome, and the same goes for the British Library's decision. It's a tad late, though — perhaps the library ought to pay a fine. As Wilde almost definitely said, 'The public is wonderfully tolerant. It forgives everything except genius.'
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
British Library to reinstate Oscar Wilde's reader pass 130 years after ‘gross indecency' conviction
The British Library will reinstate Oscar Wilde's reader pass 130 years after it was revoked by the British Museum's Reading Room following his conviction for 'gross indecency'. The pass will be presented to Wilde's grandson, Merlin Holland, at a commemorative event in October 2025. Wilde, who had first obtained his card in 1879, had it formally cancelled on June 15, 1895 after he was imprisoned following one of the most infamous trials of the Victorian era. The chain of events that ultimately culminated in Wilde's expulsion from the library began with a calling card. Left at Wilde's club by the Marquess of Queensberry, father of Lord Alfred Douglas, with whom Wilde was in a relationship with, the card accused him of being a 'posing somdomite.' A grave charge as homosexuality was a criminal offence at the time. Rather than ignore the jibe, Wilde sued for libel. At trial, the defence seized on semantics, insisting Queensberry had meant 'posing as a sodomite', not asserting it as fact, otherwise, the Marquess asserted, he would have shot Wilde 'on sight'. Though Queensberry was the defendant, it was Wilde who found himself under scrutiny. The libel case collapsed. He would go on to face two further trials, eventually being convicted of gross indecency and sentenced to two years in prison. Shortly after his sentencing, the British Museum's trustees recorded the cancellation of his privileges in their minutes: 'The Trustees directed that Mr Oscar Wilde, admitted as a reader in 1879 and sentenced at the Central Criminal Court on 25th May to two years' imprisonment with hard labour, be excluded from future use of the Museum's Reading Room.' It is unclear whether Wilde knew of his expulsion. In a June 13 interview to The Guardian, Holland said: 'Oscar had been in Pentonville prison for three weeks when his pass was cancelled, so he wouldn't have known about it, which was probably as well. It would have added to his misery to feel that one of the world's great libraries had banned him from books just as the law had banned him from daily life. But the restitution of his ticket is a lovely gesture of forgiveness, and I'm sure his spirit will be touched.' In 2017, more than a century after Wilde's death, the UK government issued posthumous pardons to thousands convicted under historical anti-homosexuality laws.
Wales Online
5 days ago
- Sport
- Wales Online
The best young Welsh players ready to take on the world this summer
The best young Welsh players ready to take on the world this summer Wales U20s are confident they can go deep into the World Rugby U20s Championship this summer Wales U20s wing Aidan Boshoff will be an important player this summer (Image: Mark Lewis/Huw Evans Agency ) Wales' best young rugby talents will compete at the World Rugby U20 Championship in Italy this summer and will want to lay down a marker. Richard Whiffin's side made great strides during the U20s Six Nations, claiming victories over Italy U20s, Ireland U20s and England U20s, respectively, so will be full of confidence when they travel out to Italy. They have been drawn in a difficult pool alongside France U20s, Argentina U20s and Spain U20s but will be confident of giving a good account of themselves. Whiffin will name his full squad on Tuesday but it would be a shock if he moved away from the bulk of the players who did well in the U20s Six Nations. Here are the players who could really kick on in Italy. Harri Wilde The Cardiff outside-half is a talented footballer with all the raw materials needed to make an impact as a professional over the next couple of seasons. Wilde is a triple threat player who has the speed and agility to break the line while his passing game is also very good and he has a lot of peripheral vision. Sign up to Inside Welsh rugby on Substack to get exclusive news stories and insight from behind the scenes in Welsh rugby. Article continues below The 20-year-old has blown hot and cold in the past but everything came together in that famous Six Nations victory over England at the Arms Park in March. It was Wilde's chip over the top of the England defence which resulted in a try for Steffan Emanuel while his pass at the line released Tom Bowen down the touchline to put Harry Rees-Weldon over for a score. He will face competition from Harri Ford but Wilde will be a key player for Wales this summer. Sam Scott Warren Gatland saw huge potential in the tighthead prop as does Bristol Bears director of rugby Pat Lam. The Bristol prop is a very good scrummager who gets through tons of work around the park, Scott's numbers were very high throughout the Six Nations whether through tackling, carrying or his work at the breakdown. Welsh rugby in general are short of strong scrummaging tightheads but Scott is a player with an extremely high ceiling. If Wales are going to go deep into the World Cup this summer then they are going to need a solid platform at the set-piece which means Scott is a player of paramount importance. Harry Thomas The Scarlets hooker was outstanding throughout the U20s Six Nations and was named player of the match for his efforts in that stunning victory over England U20s. Thomas is a very dynamic and powerful carrier who does not find it hard making significant post contact metres. In Wales' backs against the wall 20-12 victory over Ireland U20s at Rodney Parade Thomas made a remarkable 22 tackles while he is also a jackal threat at the breakdown. Join WalesOnline Rugby's WhatsApp Channel here to get the breaking news sent straight to your phone for free His throwing in does need to be a little more consistent but the 20-year-old has all the attributes needed to develop into a top class professional over the next few seasons. Aidan Boshoff The 19-year-old wing will head into the World Championship in red-hot form after claiming a brace of tries in the 47-19 victory over Italy U20s at the Arms Park last Friday. Boshoff bases his game on a high-work rate and excels in the air, defensively and on the kick-chase. The Bristol Bears wing is another young Welshman rated by Pat Lam who believes he has a big future ahead of him. Boshoff is also not short of gas and is an excellent finisher but there is nothing flashy about the long-haired wing who relishes the physical confrontations. With Harry Rees-Weldon ruled out through injury there will be an onus on Boshoff and Cardiff wing Tom Bowen to get on the scoreboard as often as possible. Luke Evans If Wales are to mix it with the likes of England, France and South Africa this summer they will have to win the physical confrontations. That is where the likes of Exeter Chiefs second-row Luke Evans come in. Evans is a giant at 6ft 8in so clearly has the size to make a big impact and is exactly the profile of second-row which is in short supply in Wales. Get the latest breaking Welsh rugby news stories sent straight to your inbox with our FREE daily newsletter. Sign up here. Having represented England U18s he has decided to switch his allegiance back to Wales which can only be seen as a positive. Article continues below He is an excellent lineout forward who carries a lot of ball and is highly rated by the Wales coaches.
Toronto Star
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
‘After the Rain': This new Canadian musical strikes gold in song, but falls flat in its story
After the Rain 2.5 stars (out of 4) Music and lyrics by Suzy Wilde, book by Rose Napoli, directed by Marie Farsi. Until June 22 at the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace, 30 Bridgman Ave. or 416-531-1827 When 'After the Rain' breaks into song, it strikes gold. Nay, perhaps even platinum. That's not altogether surprising. After all, this new musical, which opened Wednesday at Tarragon Theatre, is about a fictional, 'Canada famous' band, the Evans Stone. And its folk-rock score is written by none other than Suzy Wilde, one of Toronto's most talented yet underrated composers, who's already made a mark with shows like 'Be Kind, Rewind' and 'The Carrette Sisters.' Unfortunately, the rest of 'After the Rain' isn't nearly as sterling — hampered by Rose Napoli's awkward book and some ineffectual direction by Marie Farsi. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The musical's story, inspired by true events (its lead character is based on Wilde herself), recalls other shows in the small but growing genre of fictional bands. Its behind-the-scenes drama is reminiscent of the acclaimed Broadway play 'Stereophonic,' about a rock group on the cusp of superstardom. And its sweet, coming-of-age tale mines similar thematic territory as the 2016 film 'Sing Street.' But the intimate narrative of 'After the Rain' remains frustratingly hazy, never managing to emerge from the shadow of Wilde's galvanizing music. At its centre is Suzie (Annika Tupper), the 20-something daughter of Ashley Evans (Andrew Penner) and Jean Stone (Deborah Hay), the two core members of the Evans Stone band. Andrew Penner and Deborah Hay in 'After the Rain.' Dahlia Katz/Tarragon Theatre The trio aren't necessarily a dysfunctional family, but a sense of dysfunctional ennui permeates their lives. As they prepare to head out on a new tour, Ashley and Jean are at loggerheads about how they can replicate the band's success from the '90s. Ashley wants to stick with what's tried and true; Jean feels their only path forward is to write new songs and innovate. Meanwhile, Suzie, who narrates the show, doesn't know where she belongs — or if that's even in the band. But she finds clarity when she unexpectedly agrees to take on one of her father's piano students, Jean (also played by Hay), a complete beginner who only wants to master one song: Erik Satie's wistful 'Gymnopédie No. 1.' Wilde's songs do much of the heavy lifting throughout the musical. Many are full-fledged bangers — with rousing choruses, soaring harmonies and virtuosic instrumentals. (Can we get a cast recording, please?) ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Her lyrics are startling as well. Deeply suggestive, they set the mood for the rest of the show, hinting at the melancholy, hope and frustration of each of the characters. The music in 'After the Rain,' however, is unlike that of a traditional musical, in which spoken dialogue seamlessly transitions into song, with the characters unaware that they're singing. Here, the score is almost entirely diegetic, originating within the world of the show. The numbers are meant to be songs that the characters have written. They're mostly performed by the band in concert or in rehearsal — and when they're sung, there's a sense of self-awareness. Shaemus Swets and Annika Tupper in 'After the Rain.' Dahlia Katz/Tarragon Theatre In that way, 'After the Rain' could be considered more of a play with music than a standard musical, because the songs can't completely probe the inner thoughts and emotions of each character. Instead, it's up to the dialogue to do that. But Napoli's book scenes, linking the musical numbers together, aren't up to that task and largely disappoint. While she does a compelling job early on of establishing the high strung atmosphere in the band's rehearsal room, it comes at the expense of developing the musical's characters, along with the key conflicts among them. The tension in the first act almost entirely hinges on the reveal of why Jean only wants to learn one song. Other supporting characters (such as the rest of the band members, played by Joe 'Jojo' Bowden on drums and Brandon McGibbon on bass guitar) are introduced then entirely forgotten. Suzie, too, remains an indistinct protagonist. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW The second half of 'After the Rain' is the stronger act. But still, important emotional beats rarely land with the impact that they could have, because they lack the necessary foregrounding earlier in the musical. By far the most underdeveloped relationship: the one between Suzie and her mother. What's not in short supply in this show, however, is audience participation. (If you're sitting anywhere in the first row: beware.) But all of it, though charming at first, feels misplaced, and mostly distracts from the story. Farsi's direction also mostly misses. She's completely transformed the Tarragon Theatre Mainspace for this production. Gone is the normal proscenium setting. In its place is a traverse stage, with the audience sitting on opposite sides of the action. From left: Joe 'Jojo' Bowden, Brandon McGibbon, Deborah Hay, Andrew Penner and Annika Tupper in 'After the Rain.' Dahlia Katz/Tarragon Theatre David Boechler's set features a raised platform at its centre, which neatly transforms into a grand piano when the action shifts to Jean's home. It's an innovative setup, but also results in some cumbersome staging. Particularly when there's only one character on that raised platform, Farsi has them constantly turning back and forth between the two sets of audiences. The cast make the most of their underwritten roles. Tupper possesses a shimmering voice; Hay accentuates the contrasts between her two characters; and Penner, with his distinctively husky voice and a chain necklace around his neck (the costumes are by Ming Wong), leans into Ashley's full rocker persona. But together, when they sing, the music-making is glorious. Close your eyes, and you'll be transported.
