While Wilde might be better known for acidic and satirical comedies, such as âThe Importance of being Earnest,â and âLay Windemereâs Fan,â his first outing as a playwright was in the realms of tragedy. Set in Russia, âVera; or, The Nihilistsâ follows the eponymous Vera on her journey from barmaid, to joining terrorist group, âThe Nihilists,â and becoming their top assassin.
Inspired by real-life events, Wildeâs play explores the idea that full commitment to an ideology can dehumanise almost anyone. While considered a tragedy, and with more than a whiff of Shakespeareâs âMacbethâ about it, âVera; or, The Nihilistsâ is peppered with the playwrightâs trademark wit and caustic cynicism. A superb read for those who enjoyed the TV-Series 'Killing Eve' starring Jodie Comer and want to see how it all began for one of the 19th Centuryâs most famous â and infamous - writers.
Oscar Wilde (1854 â 1900) was an Irish novelist, poet, playwright, and wit. He was an advocate of the Aesthetic movement, which extolled the virtues of art for the sake of art. During his career, Wilde wrote nine plays, including âThe Importance of Being Earnest,â âLady Windermereâs Fan,â and âA Woman of No Importance,â many of which are still performed today. His only novel, âThe Picture of Dorian Grayâ was adapted for the silver screen, in the film, âDorian Gray,â starring Ben Barnes and Colin Firth. In addition, Wilde wrote 43 poems, and seven essays. His life was the subject of a film, starring Stephen Fry.