This production is being produced by Tilted Wig in conjunction with Watford Palace Theatre and is currently touring the UK. The adaption is by Sean Aydon, who has also directed the show

The stage is sparsely lit at the start and continues throughout. The back of the stage is a tarnished mirror which allows for some reflection of the characters in particular Dorian. As the play moved along some pieces of set are added or taken away but the tarnished mirror remains giving the audience glances of Dorian thru different angles. The use of dramatic music throughout adds to the effects. 

As many will know the story is about vanity and not aging which continues to this day but we now social media and AI so images can be very different to reality which was not possible in Dorian day.

Dorian is played by Jack Crumlin, who starts standing as Basil Hallward, an established portrait painter played by Mark Oxtoby that paints him. Dorian is self obsessed with his image and remains youthful. This is the basis of the play, which is relatable to today. Jack starts as a somewhat boyish character, but as the play goes along, things change as he becomes more unstable. 

The other main character is Lord Henry Wotton played by Mark Hawkins. This is a very strong part which dominated at lot of the first half and Dorian life. 

Dorian falls in love with the actress Sybil Vane, played by Lydia Whitehead. He becomes obsessed with her visiting her dressing room every night, where she is in the production of Romeo and Juliet. This comes to a sudden end and, in the end, sends Dorian into a slow spiral of decline.

He ends up going to masked parties and does not like to admit these things have happened afterwards or His actions become drastic as we go along and trys to get others to help cover his tracks as tragedy strikes. 

Although it may be difficult to think these things would have happened when the play was written, it is so relatable to today.  In the last 30 or so years where society has become more obsessed by celebrity culture, socialising, and use of social media, we see what happens to Dorian. 

This is an excellent production well worth going to see. It keeps you gripped throughout. 

Four Stars.

Reviewed by Simon Bell.

https://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/whats-on/picture-dorian-gray