Oscar Wilde’s London: Life & Legacy of the Eccentric Playwright (Re-Air)

Tickets: $12 (includes access to the full replay for one week)

Click the link below to officially register for this experience:

https://www.nyadventureclub.com/event/1474600332289

*This webinar is part of our NYAC Summer Encore Series — a limited-time showcase of archived programs, re-airing exclusively this August*

“I can resist everything. Except temptation." - Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde wasn't just a well-received writer and playwright in the 1890s — he was a sensation of his day, and arguably the creator of the modern celebrity. But how did this eccentric and flamboyant character rise to become one of London's A-list socialites in just a few short years? This is the story of one of the most popular playwrights of the 19th century, whose legacy remains as important and relevant as ever.

Join New York Adventure Club as we travel back to 19th-century London to trace the life and legacy of Oscar Wilde, a famous Irish playwright who experienced incredible fame and celebrity status before seeing it all disappear in equally dramatic fashion.

Led by Simon Whitehouse — actor, award winning London Blue Badge Tour Guide, and member of the Oscar Wilde Society — our virtual experience surrounding Wilde and the "naughty (eighteen) nineties" will include:

• A virtual visit to important sites that inspired Oscar's works, from the elegant townhouses of aristocratic Mayfair, to the queer underworld, to his home and neighborhood in bohemian Chelsea
• A discussion around the forgotten St. James Theatre to relive the glittering premiere of Oscar’s most famous play, The Importance of Being Earnest
• The story of Oscar's inability to ‘resist temptation,’ which led to a sensational criminal trial of the age, effectively ending his prolific career
• Still-standing locales throughout London that Oscar frequented, including a florist where he created his famous ‘green carnations’, the oldest hat shop in London where he bought a new hat (but failed to pay the bill), and a cigar merchant that still retains Oscar’s bankruptcy notice
• How Oscar’s legacy has been preserved over a century later, including his hotel suite where you can stay, a moving memorial on the platform of London’s busiest railway station, a memorial window in Westminster Abbey, and the place where you can still have a ‘conversation’ with him in the heart of London’s West End

See you there, virtually!

*Immediately upon registering, you will receive a separate, automated email containing the link to join this webinar
**For the best possible viewing experience, please ensure you're using the latest version of your internet browser
***A full replay of the experience will be available to all registered guests for up to a week
****If the event has already passed, but it's been less than a week, you can still register for it on our website's active replay section!

About Simon
Simon is an award winning London Blue Badge Guide, arts lecturer, presenter and recovering actor. He guides a wide variety of themes and subjects with a passion for theatre, literature & art history/ He has worked for the BBC, the Royal Opera House, the National Gallery, & Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre & London and is currently on the faculty of Ithaca College,London Centre. Instagram @bluebadgesimon.

Testimonials
"Simon is very informative and entertaining. He should continue to pursue acting because he has a presence." -Mark
"Didn't know much about Oscar Wilde but now I want to see his plays and read his quotes!" -Rosalie
"It was entertaining as well as educational. I already knew a lot about Oscar Wilde, but i learned a good deal more from this excellent webinar." -James
" Everything!...Presenter, his in depth information...and the topic!" -Lynda
"Simon is so informative about details." -Sylvia
"I appreciate his full treatment of the person of Oscar,, the clip of Oscar on trial was performed so movingly, the history, photos, anecdotes, lots of ways to put context around Oscar so we can understand him more fully. " -Sharon
"Presenter was knowledgeable and enthusiastic." -Mary
"I liked the way Whitehouse showed buildings that can be visited today which were significant to Wilde." -Audrey
"Very well organized and informative." -Diane
" Quite interesting and entertaining" -Olga
" The presenter was very knowledgeable and engaging." -Marcia
" Very good presentation on life of Oscar Wilde." -Peter
"Simon was a very knowledgeable and engaging lecturer, with excellent slides and maps." -Harold
" Simon continues to fascinate us with his London stories, and this one was a doozy!" -Charles
" I loved Simon's obvious affection for Oscar Wilde, and I learned things I had not known about Wilde. I'm so sorry for how it all ended, and I'm glad at least his genius is noted today. I really enjoyed the movie clip w Stephen Frye giving his speech at his trial, too." -Aleisa
" I learned a ton about Wilde. thanks!!" -Jerry
" Simon, the presenter, was amazing. He dug deep into Oscar Wilde's life with empathy, drama, and of course humor." -Steve
" I have taken many NYAC webinars and enjoyed them, but Mr. Whitehouse's event was extraordinary. His presentation was beautiful and professional (I studied Victorian Lit WAY back and hadn't seen a lot of the images he used. Fabulous!). He was also a trained presenter. He moved through the information at a perfect clip, no "Ums" or "You knows." A joy to listen and absorb the information presented so professionally. Thank you!" -Vicki
" Simon is, as always, wonderfully enthusiastic, personable, and charming. The presentation was full of insights and detailed facts. Although I have taught Oscar for years, I still learned things." -Laura
" Comprehensive start to finish of his life. Also liked presenter’s background as an actor - it gave the talk a different perspective" -Diana
" He made Oscar Wilde come alive. The pictures were also interesting." -June
" Simon is very knowledgeable and told us several things that I had not heard before. He also gave us good movie and book suggestions about Oscar Wilde. Simon is always fun!" -Elizabeth
" Fabulous presenter. Multiple layers of information. Important “food for thought” Sympathetic presentation of one of the original “influencers” Would highly recommend" -Linda
" Mr. Whitehouse is a true expert in his field and he knows his geography also. A sad story about a genius told with humor and compassion." -Mark
" Simon is a wonderful, literate presenter." -Virginia
" It was very informative and educational. I learned quite a bit." -Carolyn
" 100% perfect. Simon he is the very best! Please ask him to present at least weekly!" -Angela
"Wow! What a life! Incredibly interesting!!!" -Kenda
"Simon’s depth of knowledge and passion for the subject." -Audrey
"Very organized and extremely informative." -Sandra

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Categories: Virtual, Moments in History