The huge critical and commercial hit ‘The Importance of Being Oscar’ is romping into Darlington this month. Huzzah!

Oscar Wilde’s is one of Ireland’s greatest ever writers, but not even his most outlandish plots could ever have matched the slings and arrows of his own life. He achieved dazzling literary heights, yes, and was the absolute toast of the West End, but his fall was among the most unjustly brutal ever to befall anyone of the Victorian era. This production is liberally laced with Wilde’s signature wit and features excepts from many of his best-loved works including ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’, ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ and ‘The Ballad of Reading Gaol’. Expect verbal fireworks by the score and a fantastic turn from Alastair Whatley as Mr Wilde.

The Importance of Being Oscar, 14-16 July, Darlington Hippodrome, 7.30pm, from £10, darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk