Oscar Wilde was one of the most renowned student of Trinity College (and during his time at Trinity, he was a member of the society). Wilde’s trials, led to his two year imprisonment in Reading gaol for ‘acts of gross indecency’. To celebrate the day, students wandered around campus dressed in Victorian Costumes reciting some of Wilde’s more famous works.
The re-enactment was written by ordinary members, Marianne Cassidyand Davey Kelleher using transcripts from the original trial. The performance took place in the period settings of the GMB and encouraged audience interaction. Upon arrival, each member of the audience was treated like a jury member, and presented with a ‘book of evidence’ containing copies of the letters, poems and prose originally used to convict Wilde. Each member of the audience was also presented with a carnation (Wilde’s favourite flower – he was said to never leave his house without one).
