Returning to Soulpepper, Gregory Prest’s production casts Miller in a compelling combination of theatrical flamboyance, humour, and emotional vulnerability as Oscar Wilde.
After seeing Damien Atkins’ emotionally tortured yet richly fascinating Oscar Wilde in the original De Profundis, I was eager to see how Rick Miller would tackle the role.
Miller doesn’t disappoint. Not in the least. He brings a restrained expressiveness to his carefully controlled movement.
Returning to the Soulpepper stage, De Profundis: Oscar Wilde In Jail finds the central character writing from his prison cell to his lover, Lord Alfred Douglas, known as Bosie (Colton Curtis, returning in the same role). Written one page at a time during his imprisonment, Wilde’s letter to Lord Alfred Douglas becomes an extraordinary examination of desire, betrayal, regret and the possibility of forgiveness. The prison cell provides the setting for a deeply personal reckoning with the relationship that helped destroy his reputation and freedom.
Did Bosie and Oscar truly love each other? It was evident from the beginning that they did, according to this engrossing production. Miller’s Oscar (himself a family man with a wife and children) speaks about the money he spent on Bosie, often feeling used and unappreciated. The hardships caused by Bosie continue mounting until his father finally outs Wilde.
The audience also meets Oscar’s best friend, Robbie (an amiable Jonathan Corkal-Astorga), who serves as narrator at the beginning. He breaks the fourth wall at the top of the show and gives some background information about his best friend. Robbie never leaves his far stage-right setting, as he also serves as Musician. Miller also breaks the fourth wall, too, kibitzing momentarily with Robbie before the story moves forward.
Visually, the production retains that colossal sense of claustrophobia, nicely captured in Lorenzo Savoini’s set and lighting design. Frank Donato’s projections sharply contribute to the chaos and confusion in Wilde’s mind as he spends his time alone. Oliva Wheeler’s jarring sound design effectively startles the audience, heightening suspense.
Mike Ross and Sarah Wilson’s eclectic musical arrangements, incorporating contemporary influences (new age and hip hop), add another dimension to Wilde’s psychological turmoil. Wilson’s lyrics remain particularly sharp. As Writer and Director, Gregory Prest lets Miller deliver one-liners and zingers that would make Wilde proud. Sharing some of them would spoil both the humour and the intent in the moment.
Performances remain strong.
Colton Curtis’s Bosie remains as provocative as Miller in Indrit Kasapi’s sensually inviting movement. Jonathan Corkal-Astorga is also listed as Musician and holds one of the key responsibilities as Music Director. The musical numbers are delivered with flamboyant panache, and Miller and Curtis’s often seductive moves add to the effect.
Rick Miller is daring and sexy as Oscar Wilde.
Clothed in what appears at first to be Designer Ming Wong’s fine silk pyjama selection, Miller chooses moments to sashay for comic effect, then finds swagger and sway with confident appeal.
When I interviewed him a couple of weeks before he opened, Rick said what made him take the role was knowing, seeing, and experiencing the play and music (from an audience and artist perspective) become a study in humility, forgiveness, and love.
He’s correct on that account.
While Miller’s Wilde remains charming in his flirtatious and tempting demeanour, the actor finds moments when he bravely lets each individual’s humanity show his genuine emotional intent. From my seat in the house, I thought I saw some tears welling in Miller’s eyes. In that moment, Miller lets Wilde’s words and the emotional circumstances carry the weight, without imposing unnecessary theatrical emphasis.
From a twenty-first-century audience perspective, De Profundis becomes a passionate reminder of the importance and power of love. The Soulpepper website uses the quote: “There is no prison in any world into which love cannot force an entrance.”
Wilde’s words about love and forgiveness resonate in particular. The production’s central message transcends religious boundaries, offering a moving reminder of love’s capacity to survive suffering and betrayal
De Profundis is highly recommended.
Running time: approximately 95 minutes with no interval/intermission.
The production runs to November 29 at the Young Centre for the Performing Arts, 50 Tank House Lane, in Toronto’s Distillery District. For tickets: https://my.soulpepper.ca/overview/15983/?site=soulpepper or call (416) 866-8666.
SOULPEPPER presents
De Profundis: Oscar Wilde in Jail by Gregory Prest, Mike Ross and Sarah Wilson
Directed by Gregory Prest
Music Director: Jonathan Corkal-Astorga
Set and Lighting: Lorenzo Savoini
Costume Designer: Ming Wong
Sound Designer: Olivia Wheeler
Projection Designer: Frank Donato
Movement Director: Indrit Kasapi
Performers: Rick Miller (alternate), Jonathan Corkal-Astorga, Colton Curtis
