A Picture of Dorian Gray – New Farm Nash Theatre

 Adapted by Nigel Munro-Wallis from the Oscar Wilde novel for the stage, New Farm Nash Theatre’s presentation of A Picture of Dorian Gray was an interesting series of vignettes interspersed with monologues and tied together by a narrator. 

 Presented by: New Farm Nash TheatreVenue: Merthyr Uniting Church, New Farm (Brisbane) 
Thursday, August 25, 2011
“What does it profit a man if he gains the world but loses his soul?”. Adapted by Nigel Munro-Wallis from the Oscar Wilde novel for the stage, New Farm Nash Theatre’s presentation of A Picture of Dorian Gray was an interesting series of vignettes interspersed with monologues and tied together by a narrator. Although at times I felt this structure, in addition to the lack of set led itself more to a staged radio play. Set in the Victorian era in upper class London, the gothic story surrounds a beautiful young man and the price he pays for eternal youth. The charm (and curse) he carries like a two-edged sword, plays out the consequences on those around him, and is reflected back in a special portrait that reveals the ugliness underneath the beauty. Wilde’s work is a comment on Victorian society’s misplaced love affair with youth and the advantages of beauty. A theme that is still relevant today. The writing itself was wonderfully typically Wilde, with all its flourishes and rich romantic language. It was particularly prevalent in the character of Lord Henry Wotton whose ideal was beauty, indulgence of the senses, (and the sound of his own voice) to be placed above all else. I really enjoyed the homage to Shakespeare with lines from the bard cleverly interwoven into the script.  Much of the success of a show is in the casting itself. Nigel Munro-Wallis as the director was blessed with finding a cast perfect for their roles. Andrew Whitmore as Dorian Gray was charming, beauteous, and had the intelligence to play an upper class cultured, educated, and hedonistic youth. Paul Careless as Lord Henry Wotton handled the verbose and flourished language and character of excess with quick wit and upper-class charm. Gary Kliger executed two distinctly different characters (Basil Hallward the painter and the revengeful brother) with ease and aplomb. Eamonn Clohesy played Alan Campbell with conviction (but I actually liked his cameo copper role at the start better. I think it was the impressive accent). Cat Martin was also charmingly beautiful and haunting as Sybil Vane and worthy of the pedestal that Dorian put her on. Jenny Bonney-Millett as the maid Mrs. Leaf was very comfortable in her role and enjoyable to watch, and Jordan Barnard as the Duchess of Monmouth and the Narrator played the role with great delight and intrigue. While some of the play’s characters argued the merit of art for art’s sake, this play was not just pure entertainment but actually had substance and relevance in today’s society. I like a play that provokes thought long after it is finished, and with such a great cast to pull it off, A Picture of Dorian Gray was a very satisfying night at the theatre. Dates:20 August – 10 September 2011  Booking InformationPh: (08) 3379 4775 or www.nashtheatre.com