The Judas Kiss
David Hare
A poignant historical drama that focuses on two pivotal moments in the life of Oscar Wilde. The first act takes place in a London hotel shortly before his arrest, as he decides whether to flee to France or face his trial. The second act finds him in exile in Naples, impoverished and abandoned, yet still tethered to his destructive lover, Lord Alfred Douglas (Bosie). The play is a tragic exploration of Wilde’s refusal to compromise his soul and his fatal loyalty to a man who did not deserve it, set against the backdrop of Victorian betrayal.
Oscar Wilde: The legendary playwright and wit, portrayed here as a man of immense moral courage and tragic vulnerability who chooses dignity over escape. Lord Alfred Douglas (Bosie): Wilde’s young, selfish, and volatile lover, whose arrogance and lack of loyalty ultimately lead to Wilde’s social and physical destruction. Robert Ross: Wilde’s loyal friend and former lover, who tries desperately to save Oscar from the catastrophic consequences of his legal battles and his obsession with Bosie.
First Performance: 1998, at Playhouse Theatre, London
Highly praised for its emotional weight and its depiction of Wilde as a figure of tragic nobility.; later revived to great acclaim.
Original Actors: Liam Neeson, Tom Hollander