The Picture of Dorian Gray

Published Wednesday 20 February 2008 at 11:25 by Mary Redman

Contemporary music hall songs introduce this small-scale stage version of Wilde’s famously creepy late Victorian tale, about a man whose portrait accepts the consequences of his debauched life. Leaving him unmarked.

A motley rabble breaks into an artist’s abandoned studio to start the action. This entertaining ensemble production very imaginatively uses only things found there. Trafalgar Square, theatre, racecourse, billiard table and many other things appear as if from nowhere.

Basil Hallward (Richard Latham), the portrait painter who becomes absorbed by the beautiful young Dorian Gray, and his friend the aesthete and dandy Lord Henry Wooton (Mario Vernazza) are the narrators. Sensitive, vain, self-absorbed Dorian is played by willowy William Vasey who brings out all these characteristics. Jennifer Bryden’s versatility is tested as actress Sybil Vane, various aristocrats and an opium dealer. William Hartley demonstrates his acting strengths as James Vane, Mr Isaacs and a wonderfully funny cabbie.

Director/adaptor Jonny Kemp incorporates theatrical injokes, encouraging the ensemble energy in his versatile cast, particularly in the rapid scene changes with vocal additions. Male actors play women (mostly elderly eccentrics), there are witty uses of everyday objects, mops becoming a dog or billiard cues, small glass jars used as field glasses.

This passing parade of characters is often reminiscent of Dickens, but Kemp incorporates plenty of wickedly Wildean aphorisms. Perhaps a few too many out of context.

Experiencing acting at this intensely high pitch can be tiring for an audience, maybe a little judicious pruning might be a good thing to consider.