Oscar Wilde’s philosophical, Gothic thriller, The Picture of Dorian Gray was first published in 1890, yet it is as fresh and relevant today as ever, says Karen Morley-Chesworth. And this touring production by Tilted Wig Productions, with a timeless setting that makes it feel like a modern piece.
In a time of ‘me culture’, obsession with youth and gurus peddling positive thinking, to wipe out anything from our minds we do not like, you could believe Wilde has a crystal ball.
Dorian, played by Gavin Fowler is the innocent, beautiful young man who becomes the muse for painter Basil Hallward, played movingly by Daniel Goode. Basil is in love with Dorian, and paints the portrait of him as he reaches his prime. When Basil is forced to introduce him to his old university pal Lord Henry Wotton, played beautifully by Jonathan Wrather, his demise is set within the picture.
Lord Wotton drips his poison into the mind of the unspoilt Dorian. At a time before the surgeon’s knife and injections of Botox could disfigure those so full of fear of aging they would rather look unhuman than old, Wilde captures the power this terror holds for the most beautiful in society. Dorian is prepared to sell his soul in return for eternal youth – and his picture ages as his face remain the same.
As Dorian says after Lord Wotton has got into him mind – ‘youth is the only thing worth anything’. This obsession with being young is so much part of our society today, yet displayed in this production the shallowness and potential danger of this craving to stay young feels wrong. It is as if Wilde with his wit and insight has been able to put a mirror up to an audience over 100 years later, that makes them stop and re-evaluate their concern for the outer look rather than the inner, deeper meaning of life.
Wrather is a popular TV actor, who recently played the manipulating husband Pierce Harris who raped his wife in Emmerdale. On the small screen his portrayal was terrifying, yet on stage his powerful performance is overwhelming. As he ages throughout the play, it is not only his makeup and stature that degrades, his voice takes on the tone of an aging man. His command of the stage is brilliant, and he has been so well cast for this role.
Fowler is equally captivating as he captures every descending step of Dorian’s shallow, pathetic and evil life. From innocence to debauchery, is performance is mesmerising. The orgy scene within the opium den is so cleverly choreographed, it is a stunning performance from the whole cast.
The two-part scene where Dorian’s first love Sybil Vane, played cleverly by Kate Dobson and co-Shakespearian actor played by Samuel Townsend perform a scene from Romeo and Juliet is a classic piece of comic timing. Throughout the play Wilde weaves in wit and humour within drama and tragedy. You forget how brilliant his writing is, and it is performed to perfection in this production.
This is the play which has the classic Wilde quote – to know the price of everything and value of nothing. Yet, to see this performance you will value every second.
In this time of uncertainty, Basil’s line about ‘there isn’t anyone in parliament who is worthy of painting’ brought one of the loudest laughs from the audience.
Phoebe Pryce as Lady Victoria Wotton is cool, calm and charismatic, and Adele James as Ellen Campbell compelling.
The other star of this production is the set, which provides a seamless setting between acts that has a fast pace. Séan Aydon’s direction brings the rhythm and tempo of Wilde’s words to life.
This is a brilliant production of an equally amazing, dramatic play.
5/5 stars
- Mon 8 – 13 April Theatre by the Lake, Keswick – Book Now
- Mon 22 – 27 April Richmond Theatre – Book Now
- Mon 29 April – 4 May Capitol Theatre, Book Now
- Tues 7 – 11 May Malvern Theatres – Book Now
- Tues 14 – 18 May Crewe Lyceum – Book Now
