Tickets for Stephen Fry Town Hall lecture sold out

Friday, 20 March 2015

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry will be giving the University of Reading's inaugural Town Hall Lecture this summer in honour of poet and playwright Oscar Wilde. Fry, who is known as one of Wilde's most devoted contemporary fans, is Honorary Patron of the Oscar Wilde Society, which is partnering with the University to bring this lecture to the Reading community. Tickets go on sale on Friday 20 March at 10am from Reading arts.

Stephen Fry will be giving the University of Reading's inaugural Town Hall Lecture this summer in honour of poet and playwright Oscar Wilde.

Fry, who is known as one of Wilde's most devoted contemporary fans, is Honorary Patron of the Oscar Wilde Society, which is partnering with the University to bring this lecture to the Reading community.

Wilde's connection to Reading was made famous by his incarceration in the town's prison after being convicted of homosexual acts. His epic poem The Ballad of Reading Gaolwas inspired by his experiences and reflected the brutality of the Victorian prison system. Following his release from prison in 1897, Wilde campaigned against the imprisonment of children and those with mental illnesses.

Our research has revealed new insights into Wilde's fellow inmates during his incarceration in Reading Prison.

This lecture will honour Wilde and his writing, as well as his work for civil and human rights. The lecture will be taking place at Reading Town Hall on Thursday 4 June, 8pm. Tickets went on sale at 10am and were sold out by lunchtime.