Actor Rupert Everett reflects on the life and times of Oscar Wilde.

This event will take place at the British Library. It will be simultaneously live streamed on the British Library platform. Tickets may be booked either to attend in person (physical), or to watch on our platform (online) either live or within 48 hours on catch up. Viewing links will be sent out shortly before the event.

The online version of this event will be live captioned.

The Hollywood actor reflects on a lifelong obsession with Oscar Wilde, culminating in his 2018 film The Happy Prince, which he both directed and starred in. The film features Wilde in the final years of his life, after his 1897 release from prison for ‘gross indecency’.

But for Rupert Everett, the decade spent bringing it to the screen was a grueling ordeal in itself. Having long revered Wilde as an icon of the gay liberation movement, Everett has since come to know him intimately, not only playing the man himself both on stage and screen, but starring in adaptations of some of his most popular works: An Ideal Husband and The Importance of Being Earnest.

In an unmissable opening event to HistFest, he takes us for a walk on the Wilde side, sharing his unique insights on the most mercurial of literary figures.

This event is chaired by LGBTQ historian and award-winning museum guide Dan Vo.

If you’re attending in person, please arrive no later than 15 minutes before the start time of this event. We are committed to the safety of our event bookers. Find out how we are welcoming you to the Library safely.

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This event is kindly supported by PLB LTD

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