The Oscar Wilde Collection

By: Oscar Wilde

Narrated by: James Marsters, Jacqueline Bisset, Alfred Molina, Roger Rees, Eric Stoltz, Charles Busch, Yeardley Smith

Four classic comedies from one of the wittiest playwrights in Western literature: Lady Windermere's Fan, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, and The Importance of Being Earnest, all featuring star-studded casts with the likes of Jacqueline Bisset, Miriam Margolyes, James Marsters, Alfred Molina, Roger Rees, Yeardley Smith, Eric Stoltz, and many more. This audio also includes a chilling dramatization of Wilde's sole novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray.

Lady Windermere's Fan:
The irreverent satire that launched Wilde's succession of classical comedies. A lord, his wife, her admirer, and an infamous blackmailer converge in this delicious comic feast of scandal. A divinely funny comedy of good girls, bad husbands, and the moral hypocrisy of British high society in the late 19th century. Stars Roger Rees, Eric Stoltz, Miriam Margolyes, Joanna Going, Gina Field, Judy Geeson, Arthur Hanket, Lisa Harrow, Dominic Keating, James Warwick, and Tom Wheatley. Directed by Michael Hackett.

A Woman of No Importance:
Devilishly attractive Lord Illingworth is notorious for his skill as a seducer. But he is still invited to all the "best" houses while his female conquests must hide their shame in seclusion. In this devastating comedy, Wilde uses his celebrated wit to expose English society's narrow view of everything from sexual mores to Americans. Stars Rosalind Ayres, Jane Carr, Peter Dennis, Judy Geeson, Paul Gutrecht, Martin Jarvis, Cherie Lunghi, Robert Machray, Miriam Margolyes, Samantha Mathis, and Jim Norton.

An Ideal Husband
A tender love story, a glittering setting in London society, and a shower of witticisms are only a few of the reasons this play has enjoyed hugely successful revivals.

©2010 L.A. Theatre Works (P)2010 L.A. Theatre Works

Critic reviews

"Fans of Oscar Wilde will delight in this collection of four of the author's best-loved plays and a theatrical adaptation of his only novel. These full-cast productions - Lady Windermere's Fan, A Woman of No Importance, An Ideal Husband, The Importance of Being Earnest - feature energetic performances from a host of talented actors including Eric Stoltz, Martin Jarvis, Alfred Molina, and Jacqueline Bisset. Razor-sharp comedic timing from all the players will entertain listeners while the production of A Picture of Dorian Gray offers a darker pleasure and a cast that delivers a taut, suspenseful performance." (Publisher's Weekly)

"The smart direction and casting and well-executed musical scores are a boon to the production, which will keep audiences laughing and engaged through multiple listens." (Library Journal)

I've been hooked on Oscar Wilde since high school!

Hello. When I was in the 12th grade, I read The Importance of Being Earnest for the first time. It was eye-opening! We were kindred spirits. I wanted so badly to read The Complete Works of Oscar Wilde, which I had purchased at borders for the purpose of a book report for my senior level English class. For some reason, two full decades went by and I never finished an Oscar Wilde collection. This was the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. The story is vital, the performance is top notch, and they even have Lisa Simpson in one of the plays! Obviously, I wish I had the "entire" Oscar Wilde collection in one audiobook. Maybe I can pick up the whole collection again in the future, in book form. Amazing audiobook.

I heard one quote and had to know more

I discovered Oscar Wilde through a quote attributed to him. His subtle humor is fantastic. I laughed rarely but smiled often.

I want to listen to this audio repeatedly just to soak up all the subtleties that I may have missed.

Somebody please tell me who else writes like Mr. Wilde!

Stumbled onto a Masterpiece

I saw the author was Oscar Wilde and figured "why not?". 5 wonderful stories full of brilliant quotable dialogue. So glad I picked it.

The Best Performances of Wilde’s plays

After listening to various versions of these Wilde’s plays, including one by the BBC cast, LATW’s production has remained my favorite because of its superb mastery of Wilde’s wit and humor by a perfect cast.

All charming until Dorian Gray.

Mostly charming versions of Wilde's plays with some interesting interviews as intermissions. The whole effect is ruined by a really detestable dramatic adaptation of Picture of Dorian Gray. Poorly conceived and poorly executed.