The Judas Kiss - review

Hampstead Theatre, London

When the work of David Hare, was first observed in 1998, suffered from the miscasting of the central roles of Oscar Wilde and Lord Alfred Douglas (Bosie). Now, fined Neil Armfield Renaissance seems much richer - confirming Wilde aphorism that "truth in art is that whose opposite is also true." Wilde's fate is a character with many facets: one that can be admired for his uncompromising moral integrity, or sorry for intentional self-destruction capacity

Hare focuses on two key moments. First we see Wilde at the Cadogan Hotel imprisoned in 1895 after the collapse of his libel case against the Marquess of Queensberry: Common sense tells us to flee to France to escape arrest, but Wilde said that the flight would be a capitulation English abject hypocrisy and denial of his love for Bosie. In the second half, we see the consequences of the persistence of Wilde. After his prison sentence of two years, is now reunited with Bosie in Naples, but it is a narrowed face passive living the life of a miserable exile largely unable to write. Although supported by the presence of Bosie, Wilde knows who faces the final betrayal.

The only downside is that the concept Hare is a hysterical child Bosie never see the redeeming qualities that inspired the love of Wilde. In addition, this representation is the most compelling dramatic Wilde I met - the one who captures both romantic and tragic victim individualistic. Rupert Everett also helps give the performance of his career. Everett Wilde is the large, fleshy dewlap appears larger than we see in the last portraits and caricatures Max Beerbohm. But it is deeply pathetic how its deformation characteristics for blubbery cry when confronted with the generosity of the employees of the hotel, and a rich vein of anger when rejected by friends and isolated from their children , is against the demand Society of penance and punishment. However, he never lets us forget Everett permanent intelligence Wilde: Bosie treacherous when it was refused once gay, Everett muttered sarcastically ". No, just a brilliant mimic "

• Freddie Fox strives to Bosie, suggesting that, in tantrums, is governed by the aristocratic impulse of self-preservation, and there is good support MacAninch Cal, which eminently sensible Robbie Ross plays Horatio in Hamlet reckless Wilde. I was not crazy about Dale Ferguson design, who, with his crushed velvet jacket for Cadogan hotel, difficult for the actors to negotiate. But I was touched Hare portrait searching for a love unilateral Wilde proved the salvation and equally destructive.

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