Callow to voice Headline audio orginal of Wilde works

Simon Callow will voice a Headline audio original of Oscar Wilde's poem The Ballad of Reading Gaol and De Profundis ahead of the 125th anniversary of Wilde's sentencing for “gross indecency” next year.

Publishing on 8th September, the audio original includes introductions to each performance from Callow and an interview discussing his own relationship with Wilde’s work.

Callow said: “My passion for Oscar Wilde started when I was an adolescent. I was utterly fascinated by Wilde—a man of exceptional compassion, splendour of personality, wit—and the supreme talker of his time. It’s been a joy to record these astonishing works.”

Alex Clarke, publishing director at Wildfire, said: “We’re very excited to be publishing Mr Callow’s recordings of Wilde at Wildfire. He gives an amazing performance and it makes for incredible listening. It’s a fantastic addition to our audio original publishing.”

Callow’s performance of De Profundis, a letter written by Wilde during his imprisonment in Reading, originated in a stage production directed by Mark Rosenblatt.

The audiobook and transcripts of the introductions and interview will also be available in e-book.