READING is going Wilde this summer with a handbag-full of events celebrating one of the authors most closely associated with the town.
Two weeks of events will see theatre, interactive experiences, and tours around town to celebrate the work of Oscar Wilde.
An augmented reality exhibition has begun, currently showing on the outside walls of Reading Gaol.
Compiled by the Reading Guild of Artists in collaboration with VisiAR, the exhibition is viewable using a smartphone and shows a virtual gallery of works alongside the Banksy work.
It features a series of pieces examining the life and works of Wilde as well as his impact on the gaol, and Reading more widely.
As well as the exhibition, Reading Repertory Theatre is working with Original Theatre on a production of Micheál Mac Liammóir’s celebrated play, The Importance of Being Oscar.
The show features episodes from Wilde’s life and works such as An Ideal Husband, The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Earnest, and The Ballad of Reading of Gaol.
Reading Museum is holding a walk and talk to the prison, where an expert volunteer tour guide will explore the author’s links with the town as well as his life in Ireland and London.
Later in the summer, Progress Theatre is also bringing its adaptation of The Importance of Being Earnest to Reading’s Abbey Ruins.
Ken Mawbey, Founder of VisiAR, said: “It’s been an absolute pleasure working with Reading Guild of Artists on this amazing exhibition of Reading Gaol inspired art.
“I’m delighted that VisiAR will enable visitors to experience the artworks in Augmented Reality on the outside wall of this historic building, alongside the Oscar Wilde work created by Banksy.
“We’re very appreciative of the close co-operation offered by the Ziran Education Foundation, including providing access to the Gaol to film a promotional video for the exhibition.”
Channing Bi, Ziran Education Foundation, said: “My team and I are still hard at work on evolving Reading Gaol into a world-renowned hub for the arts.
“In the meantime, we are proud to have the prison serve as host to innovative exhibits like ‘Outside.’
“The ‘Outside’ AR exhibit ingeniously uses next-gen technology to inspire appreciation for heritage and history–it aligns perfectly with our grand mission to bridge Reading Gaol’s future and past.”
Reading Rep’s Founding Artistic Director Paul Stacey said: “Restaging The Importance of Being Oscar in Reading, particularly at Reading Rep Theatre, a venue so close to Reading Gaol where the icon was imprisoned, holds great significance in honouring and celebrating Reading’s cultural heritage.
“As the Gaol undergoes significant changes, this production serves as a tribute to our city’s past and present.
“We’re excited to invite audiences to experience this immersive one-man production, delving into the wit, charm, and complexity of one of literature’s most iconic figures, right here in the heart of Reading.”
The AR exhibition is available to view at Reading Gaol or online via rga-artists.org.uk/outside.
Reading Museum’s Oscar Wilde Walk takes place on Friday, May 25, the anniversary of Wilde’s incarceration at Reading Gaol, with details and booking available via: readingmuseum.org.uk/whats-on/oscar-wilde-tour
The Importance of Being Oscar is showing at Reading Repertory Theatre from Thursday, June 23, to Saturday, June 8.
Tickets and accessibility information are available via: readingrep.com/the-importance-of-being-oscar
