‘Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic’. Bablake Theatre presents a fresh faced adaptation of Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. With fluidity and pep the large cast of sixteen and seventeen year olds tell the tale of a man who sold his soul to the devil for a pretty face. In keeping with the costume and music of the time, Bablake Theatre shakes us out of our compliancy with a timeless tale of the power of beauty and youth.
Rory Dulka does a very fine job at playing Dorian Gray. He is nothing less than a narcissistic charmer, full of youthful vigour. Like his unyielding beauty, Dulka plays the part consistently, navigating round the stage breaking hearts and killing loved ones with a wicked smile on his face. Similarly, Sachin Sharma plays Lord Henry with a flagitious glint in his eye. He and Dulka work well together on stage, enabling him to play perfectly devil’s advocate. Throwing Wilde’s dreadfully witty lines around, Henry plunges Dorian into the depths of hell on earth. Telling Dorian that ‘beauty makes princes of those who have it,’ his beautiful lines end in Dorian’s ugly fate.
The large cast have been directed most efficiently, bringing the show to life. The performance is bubbling with liveliness and animation which has something to do with the fact the cast does not leave the stage but play various characters or blend together to convey a bustling street scene. When they are not performing they stand as still as statues, feeding into the general theme of art and eternity. What is Bablake Theatre’s secret behind a congenial production? They find the cast and then they decide on a play.
The spectacle, acting, and content is arresting, making this production of The Picture of Dorian Gray a pleasure. Moreover, it’s hard to pass up an opportunity to listen to Wilde’s wit so well dramatised on the stage.
