The Play
Despite having
appeared on the stage throughout his career, Vincent Price's greatest
theatrical triumph was undoubtedly his one-man show, Diversions
and Delights, in which he played the playwright and author Oscar
Wilde.
Written
by dramatist John Gay (allegedly while waiting out the famed Writers Guild of
America strike), the play is set in a Parisian concert hall on the Rue de la
Pepinier in 1899 - about a year before Wilde's death, at the age of 46. In an
attempt to earn some much-needed money, Wilde is speaking to the audience about
his life, his works and, in Act Two, about his love for Lord Alfred Douglas.
A Note: On the condition of Mr Wilde
for this performance. Mr Wilde is suffering from an infection of the inner ear
as well as other maladies and the management hopes this will be taken into
consideration.
The Reaction
When Diversions
and Delights opened in San Francisco at the Marine's Memorial
Theatre on July 11, 1977, critics raved over Price's performance.
'A delight,
witty and moving' (Clive Barnes, New York Post)
'Vincent Price
is a master' (Wall Street Journal)
'Wonderfully
moving' (Washington Post)
'A virtuoso
performance' (New York Post)
"Vincent Price
is a 'Wilde' delight" (Variety)
Over the next
three years, Vincent would go on to give 800 performances in 300 cities, both
in the US and as far away as Perth, Western Australia (where I had the chance
to see it in August of 1980) - click on the photo below to hear a 22 second TV
ad. And remember you can also download an entire performance from 1982 by going to
The original
tour was a success in every city it played, except New York City, where its
Broadway run at the Eugene O'Neill theatre lasted only 13 performances in April
1978. But the show was better suited to intimate venues in which 'Price's
magnetism and Wilde's tragedy could touch audiences on a personal level.'
In the summer of 1979 he performed the show at the Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Coloradoon the same stage that Wilde had spoken to the miners about art some 96 years before.
Price on Wilde
There are
very few famous men or women whose character, humanity, humor or even tragedy
can survive the scrutiny of 'a one man show'Š by that I mean author, actor and
audience scrutiny.
Oscar
Wilde is the ideal personage to be examined by all this revealing kind of
theatre presentation. The fame of his wit is enough justification, but
underneath the brilliant facade is a very human being, vulnerable to his own
fame, his own strengths and weaknesses, and a being who inspires a kind of very
real and identifiable admiration and appreciation.
For the
actor, the assumption of such a volatile personality is not only challenging
but thrilling, by the very nature of this audience identification.
Wilde, and
through his genius, the actor seems to have something to say to everyone. He
becomes almost lovable in his self-conscious avoidance of love-ability. He is
admirable for his ability to admire his own talent and to make it so especially
his own. He is unique and that one-of-a-kindness quality, perhaps more than anything
else, makes him qualify for this form of theatrical revelation.
Wilde is a
joy to play. For his personal tragedy is as universally appealing as his
private-public wit is individually enchanting.
Price on
Price (in 1992)
I
believe my role as Oscar Wilde was my greatest achievement as an actor. It was
really extraordinary. It was the only time ever in my whole life when I really,
completely fell into the character. I was really able to escape into the wit
and brilliance of the man. A divine feeling.
The Crew
Written byJohn Gay
Directed by Joseph Hardy
Produced by Roger Berlind, Frank R. Levy and Mike Wise
Scenic Design by
H. R. Poindexter; Costume
Design by Noel Taylor;
Lighting Design by H. R. Poindexter;
Lighting Executed by Barry Arnold;
Wig Design by Renata
General Press
Representative: Seymour Krawitz;
Press Representative: Patricia McLean
Krawitz; Photographer: Martha Swope
Originally
presented by the American
Conservatory Theatre of San Francisco
Program designed by Toddy Gelfand
