Seeking refuge from an oppressive society, a group of misfits goes underground and finds comfort in re-enacting the life of that quintessential outsider, Oscar Wilde. It is a neat premise for a show that will resonate with any audience that can imagine a raucous cross between Six and The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Oscar at The Crown is a high energy, high decibel experience that pleasantly surprised us with both its polished production and clever construction. The choreography is slick and the score is catchy. The perspective on Wilde's legacy is thoughtful, and the final commentary on his life insightful. This is an intelligent show that is both well done and lots of fun. The show's concept is mirrored in its choice of venue, and finally, we have a meta dimension to a production that actually works thematically. The downside of this space, however, is that the audience ends up standing for ninety minutes, and as we move around from place to place the sight lines are not always optimal. Another drawback to the underground venue is that lyrics and dialogue are often lost to some rather dismal acoustics. That being said, designer Andrew Exeter has created a space that artfully immerses us in the refugees' hideaway with lots of references to other counter culture figures. As a wonderfully dynamic and decadent hybrid of Oscar Wilde and Dr Frank-N-Furter, Mark Mauriello puts in a thoroughly mesmerising performance, while Elizabeth Chalmers as the newcomer to the cellar's tribe who ends up playing Wilde's long-suffering wife, Constance, demonstrates some considerable vocal power. When she finally asserts herself and relates Constance's story, while simultaneously questioning the cavern dwellers' rituals and the Wilde hagiography that has held them together, the show enters a new dimension. This is a glitter fest that has something to say, and Oscar at The Crown deserves as wide an audience as possible. While there's no doubt that the interactive environment of the current venue gives the production a very special feeling, we could see this show reaching a wider audience, and working almost as well, in a more conventional West End theatre. That may never happen, so we'd say get down to The Crown and join the Oscar's outcasts as soon as you can.
Rated: ★★★★
Reviewed by J.C.
Photo by Luke Dyson
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