Episode Seven Credits:

Producer: Sydney Walter

Readers:

Esme Rhodes: Esme Rhodes is an actress featuring herein as Eloise Weaver. She recently graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in History. Recent credits include 'Skeleton Crew' at the Edinburgh Fringe (2024), the Weston Library's 'A New Power: Photography in Britain 1800-1850' (2023), and 'Having the Last Word' (2024).

Judith Bunting: Judith Bunting is a screenwriter, with a background as a writer, director, and producer of award-winning content for TV and VOD.

Sir Stephen Fry: Biography Below

Writers:

Oscar Wilde: Oscar Wilde (1854–1900) was an Irish playwright, poet, and author known for his sharp wit, flamboyant style, and social commentary. Best remembered for works like The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Importance of Being Earnest, and The Canterville Ghost, Wilde's writing often critiqued Victorian society, exploring themes of beauty, morality, and the nature of art. Wilde's life was marked by both brilliance and scandal, particularly his imprisonment for "gross indecency" due to his relationships with men, which led to his fall from social grace. Despite his personal troubles, Wilde’s legacy endures, celebrated for his literary genius and his enduring influence on both literature and popular culture.

Oli Hazzard: Oli Hazzard is a contemporary English poet and academic known for his innovative and lyrical poetry. His debut collection, Between Two Windows (2012), won the Michael Murphy Memorial Prize and was named a book of the year by several major publications. His subsequent collections, Blotter (2018) and Sleepers Awake (2024), further showcase his distinct voice and exploration of contemporary themes. Hazzard is also the author of Lorem Ipsum (2021), a novel presented as a single 50,000-word sentence, and John Ashbery and Anglo-American Exchange (2018), a scholarly work on poet John Ashbery. He teaches at the University of St Andrews.

Dr. April Elisabeth Pawar: April Pawar is the Founder of the Oxford Writers’ House. She graduated from St. Anne’s College, Oxford in 2016 with a DPhil in English Literature. She writes fiction, essays, and poetry.

Interviewed Expert:

Sir Stephen Fry: Stephen Fry is an English actor, comedian, writer, and broadcaster, celebrated for his wit, intelligence, and versatility. He rose to fame as part of the comedy duo Fry and Laurie with Hugh Laurie and as the long-time host of the quiz show QI. His acting credits include notable films such as Wilde (1997) and The Hobbit series, while his literary works include novels like The Liar and Moab Is My Washpot. Fry has received numerous accolades, including a BAFTA for Best Comedy Performance and an Olivier Award for his stage work. An advocate for mental health and LGBTQ+ rights, Fry’s sharp humor and insightful commentary have made him a beloved and influential figure in British culture.

Special Thanks To:

The Poetry Archive