By Steve Cooke
The Octagon Theatre are one of a select number of partner venues to present a brand-new digital production of The Picture of Dorian Gray next month.
The co-producers of the upcoming digital adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray have now announced the production’s full casting and creative team, and what a cast it is!
Joining previously announced Fionn Whitehead, in the title role, are Alfred Enoch as Harry Wooton, Joanna Lumley as Lady Narborough, Emma McDonald as Sibyl Vane and Russell Tovey as Basil Hallward with Stephen Fry as the Interviewer.
From the creative team behind the critically acclaimed What a Carve Up!, the beloved Faustian tale by Oscar Wilde is brought kicking and screaming into a world of Instagram, Facebook and dating apps. Set in a profile pic-obsessed, filter-fixated world, contemporary take follows influencer Dorian Gray as he makes a deal for his social star never to fade.
The Picture of Dorian Gray will utilise elements found in radio plays, films, documentaries as well as traditional theatrical techniques.
Based on the novel by Oscar Wilde, the production is written by Henry Filloux-Bennett with direction by Tamara Harvey, set and costume design by Holly Pigott, assistant direction by Eleri Jones, Benjamin Collins as director of photography, sound design and original music by Harry Smith and original song by Jared Zeus.
Artistic Director at the Octagon, Lotte Wakeham added: “We’re delighted that the Octagon is one of several partner venues presenting this new digital production for our audiences. I can’t wait to see this modern, dark and provocative re-telling of Oscar Wilde’s novel brought to life online by this stellar cast of actors, which includes relative newcomers such as Emma McDonald alongside household names including Joanna Lumley and Stephen Fry. I think the production will be perfect for audience members who enjoy TV shows such as Black Mirror or Sex Education, and who want to experience a very “21 century” twist to this classic story, from the comfort of their own homes.”
Audience members receive a screening link which will activate on their booked performance date for a 48-hour period. Tickets are priced at £12 which will include both a link to the production as well as a digital programme. Closed captioning will be available for all dates during the run, with audio description available from 23-31 March.
16-31 March visit https://www.pictureofdoriangray.com/bolton
