Trailer: https://youtu.be/FAhanSdgYJw
Information and tickets here until March 31st: https://www.pictureofdoriangray.com/
This was a fantastic example of how to respond creatively and imaginatively in terms of ‘live’ theatrical performance in COVID times and updating the Dorian Gray story with its emphasis on appearance and popularity for todays digi-media world made perfect sense.
The current situation was a necessarily significant part of the whole experience and I did feel that initially, the COVID-connection was being too heavily and obviously underlined, particularly in the dialogue, but this got less obtrusive as the production unfolded. The technical restrictions of the current circumstances allowed the director and creative team to be stylishly original in how they made use of what was available. It was very far from being a mere series of talking heads and a variety of screens (one of the biggest dangers I would think of doing an online theatrical performance). The shots of the cameras and equipment as a part of the visual experience worked well and good use was made of other cameras such as security ones. the self-consciousness of the use of this range of digital sources did not, as I intially feared, make the dramatic experience any less direct and involving.
The non-diegetic music was sparsely effective and the necessary use of information on a variety of screens never caused visual or informational overload - a common failing I suspect with performances such as this (or even in normal times film with this sort of digital centrality). The language of modern media, its social tropes and normalities was pretty expertly dealt with and had a wholly authentic air - although a person more of this generation may well be a better one to make that judgement; but to me it convinced. Sybil’s farewell performance of Shakespeare was very fine (Emma McDonald) , both in terms of the performance itself and the way it was conveyed visually and dramatically. The RSC broadcast idea with a mix of professionals and good amateurs was intriguing. Has anything like that happened?
The cast was excellent. Fionn Whitehead made a sweetly appealing, latterly haunted Dorian (and making him a university student in lockdown was a powerful reminder of the impact the current situation is having on such people - a generation in fact. But towards the end, the appearance of the online shrink warning of the social dangers again seemed a little bit too heavy-handed. Some element like this was needed and it was important that it be acknowledged, but the way it was done here was a little excessive). There was a poignant innocence about Dorian that made the whole experience more powerful and his initial relationship with Sybil was most touching. But their confrontation after her catastrophic RSC performance jarred a little - at least as Dorian was concerned. I had not had the sense up to that point about how important his online image was to Dorian. we knew it was growing exponentially but its importance to him personally did not, to be honest, come across, so his reactions at this point seemed to me to be somewhat in excess of what we had previously seen.
Joanna Lumley was excellent, with her essential self-centeredness coming out gradually and quite effectively chillingly. Lord Henry Wotton (Alfred Enoch) was OH so cynical and world weary, in a charismatic performance but the final scene of flashback with him and the young and innocent Dorian talking was very touching and sweet and this scene, as with others, managed to convey a sexual frisson and sexual tension very well and effectively. Likewise with the enigmatic and little seen Basil Hallward (Russel Tovey), the evil genius at the heart of the story. At times I saw a reflection in the Wilde/Bosie relationship (or aspects thereof) being indicated in Dorian’s relationships with both Basil and Henry. Not having recently read the book, I do not know if this was a new thread added/developed by the author or taken form the original. Either way, it was very effective.
Dorian’s corruption (it’s really in a way, the story of the Fall, I thought) being reflected in his gradual descent into the dark rabbit holes of internet conspiracy theories a la Q Anon was very effective and plausible and his physical decay was subtly but effectively and intriguingly indicated.
But one query remains; how were we able to see Dorian in his room when he was not online - or did I miss something?
Catch it if you can!