A Wilde Performance

Laurie Winer’s review of “Gross Indecency” was off base regarding Michael Emerson’s performance as Oscar Wilde (“A Walk on the Wilde Side,” Feb. 20). It was a performance full of both verbal and physical brilliance. His way of speaking to those around him clearly revealed Wilde’s distaste for those who didn’t value art above all else, and as the trials progressed his body language showed Wilde slowly being beaten down by the intolerance around him. And his costuming and the stage lighting, I feel, made him seem the proper age.

And as for his size and physical bearing being different from Wilde--who cares? Only an English major would know so much about him; the rest of us can simply appreciate the historical story for what it is, and for how it still has so much relevance almost 100 years later. Emerson’s brilliant performance simply amplifies all that is great about this play, which satisfies on both an emotional and intellectual level.

STEPHEN GREENBERG

Santa Monica