In 1895, the great writer Oscar Wilde was charged and convicted of “gross indecency” and served a sentence of 2 years hard labour. At the end of his incarceration, they found it would be more therapeutic for Wilde to write instead of work, and so “De Profundis” was born. This stage production, De Profundis: Oscar Wilde in Jail, is adapted by Gregory Prest with original music and lyrics by Mike Ross and Sarah Wilson. This innovative, provocative, and moving piece, starring the incomparable Damien Atkins, tells this heartbreaking story with a beauty and flair that Wilde would love.

De Profundis: Oscar Wilde is Jail is billed as a “musical fantasy” and it absolutely lives up to that description. Taking the text of Wilde’s epic letter to his lover Lord Alfred Douglas (also known as Bosie), and combining it with original songs, De Profundis gives us a glimpse into the brilliant mind of Wilde while also paying homage to a great man in his darkest hours. At the beginning, Wilde talks about his affair with Bosie and how wonderful it all felt, but as the play continues, we learn about the hardships Bosie caused him and how it was ultimately Bosie’s father who outed Wilde. Prest’s writing includes moments of meta-theatricality along with direct address, making the story feel as intimate as the love letter it’s based on. Wilde’s refrain of “why haven’t you written to me?” makes it abundantly clear that this is a man who is still very in love, for better or for worse, and gives the play it’s emotional compass.

As with Casey and Diana, I had my little tissue packet at the ready; I knew I was in for an emotional ride. However, rather than sad, I found myself more angry than anything. To hear this story of how a young man bankrupted, manipulated, distracted, and ultimately outed their supposed lover made me furious. Is that what he thought love was? It certainly wasn’t what Wilde thought he was in for by the sounds of his letter. And yet there he is in jail almost two years later wondering why Bosie hasn’t written! There’s still a part of me that feels that sadness I had anticipated, but at the time, it was a vengeful anger which filled me every time the actor playing Bosie stepped out onto the stage.

Lorenzo Savoini’s design for this production is inspired. The initial frame and canvas giving way to Wilde’s jail cell is a perfect juxtaposition of Wilde’s old life to his new one. As we delve deeper into Wilde’s subconscious, the deeper the stage becomes. Yet we never lose the initial claustrophobic feeling of the jail cell as the design is one frame inside of another. The final reveal, the last piece of the puzzle of Wilde’s mind, made the whole audience gasp at the beauty and surprise of it all.

Mike Ross and Sarah Wilson’s musical creations for De Profundis similarly rely on juxtaposition: new age tech/dance music with an almost two hundred year old story. The difference between the eloquent words of Wilde’s letter and the pulsing beats of the music is fabulous, making the story feel new and present.

Damien Atkins as Oscar Wilde delivers what I believe is a career-defining performance. Exuding the wit and poise of Wilde while making the character uniquely his own, Atkins dazzles. He is truly a treasure of Canadian theatre. Opposite Atkins as Wilde’s lover Bosie is the stunning Colton Curtis. His grace and elegance make him a mesmerizing addition to the cast, and his dancing throughout the show is captivating. Jonathan Corkal-Astorga plays Robbie, who acts as the narrator for the play as well as playing all of the accompanying music for the production. His calm, reassuring presence at the side of the stage is a perfect representation of his position in Wilde’s life as well. The three of them tell this story with an earnestness and passion which leaps off the stage.

De Profundis: Oscar Wilde in Jail is an inspirational and superb tribute to a lovely man in love. This part of Wilde’s life isn’t often spoken about, and I’m glad that it’s made its way to the stage with such care and affection. Extended until February 23rd, this is certainly a piece you won’t want to miss! For more information and tickets, visit: https://www.soulpepper.ca/performances/deprofundis

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Cover photo: Damien Atkins as Oscar Wilde. Photo by Dahlia Katz

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