While in prison in 1897, Oscar Wilde wrote a 50,000-word letter to his beloved Lord Alfred “Bosie” Douglas, beginning with “Dear Bosie,” and ending with “Your affectionate friend.”
In between, Wilde’s sprawling and poignant letter recounts the relentless emotional injuries he suffered from Bosie, tells of the journey of self-discovery he underwent while incarcerated, and, in the end, becomes a plea for compassion.
Published after Wilde’s death under the title De Profundis, the letter articulates Wilde’s thoughts and feelings between the events of Act I and Act II of The Judas Kiss, and beautifully illuminates many details in the play.
An abridged version of De Profundis will be read by Kasey Mahaffy (A Noise Within, South Coast Rep, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and numerous film & TV credits), and will be followed by a discussion about the letter, Oscar Wilde, and the points of connection between De Profundis and our current production of The Judas Kiss.
