Details

Reading Prison - which closed in 2013 is to the public for the first time in its history. The event will see artists and performers from around the world create a series of works in response to the prison's most famous inmate, Oscar Wilde. Wilde was incarcerated at Reading Gaol from 1895 to 1897, leading to his renowned works De Profundis and The Ballad of Reading Gaol. Artists including Marlene Dumas, Steve McQueen and Wolfgang Tillmans will produce new works in response to the prison's architecture and history which will be installed in the Victorian prison's corridors, wings and cells. Contemporary Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei is among a host of artists who will compose letters about state-imposed separation from loved ones, which visitors will be able to listen to and read in some of the cells of the prison. Writers and performers including Ralph Fiennes, Kathryn Hunter, Maxine Peake and Ben Whishaw will pay homage to Wilde by reading De Profundis in the prison chapel every Sunday in September and October.

Cast/Performers

Ralph Fiennes, Kathryn Hunter, Maxine Peake, Ben Whishaw

Creatives/Company

Producer: Artangel