The life of Oscar Wilde’s lover Lord Alfred Douglas is profiled in a play having its UK premiere in Norwich next month.
John Wolfson’s The Lives of Bosie depicts Lord Alfred in 1945, close to death and confronted with a visitation from his younger self. They argue, criticise and unpick each other’s lives and reputations.
The play debuted in Philadelphia in 2005, winning the Barrymore Award for Outstanding New Play, and will have its UK premiere at the Sewell Barn Theatre in Norwich from 5 December.
Director Selwyn Tillett said: “I’ve known John for fifty years, and was his informal research assistant on this side of the pond while he was writing Bosie.
“John attended a performance of Heroes at the Barn in 2013, fell in love with the venue as so many of us have done, and has felt ever since it would be an ideal space in which to bring the two warring sides of Lord Alfred to life. I’m glad to be able to realise his dream.”
Lord Alfred will be played by Rob Fradley-Wilde, with his younger self Bosie played by Jeremiah Humphreys-Piercy. Jonathan Cooke completes the cast as Memory: eight other characters, including Oscar Wilde and Queensberry, whom Bosie and Lord Alfred call up from the past.
The play is the Barn’s last of 2024, and follows black comedy After Electra by April De Angelis, directed by Clare Williamson, which runs from 21 November to 30 November 2024.
- The Lives of Bosie is at the Sewell Barn Theatre, Norwich from Thursday 5 December to Saturday 7 December 2024.
