The Extraordinary Cabaret of Dorian Gray
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
RUBY in the Dust is presenting The Extraordinary Cabaret of Dorian Gray at Leicester Square Theatre – from Tuesday, March 9 to Sunday, April 18.
A cabaret-style depiction of Oscar Wilde’s only novel, The Extraordinary Cabaret of Dorian Gray traces the life of one of the writer’s most notorious characters.
Set in the last few delirious hours of his life, it finds Dorian Gray watching sketches of his decadent lifestyle play out before him, depicting the tawdry theatres, burlesque bars, cabaret clubs and opium dens that were such a far cry from the opera houses and salons of the Victorian Gentleman.
Much like the novel itself, the piece reflects the darker elements of Wilde’s own life. However, it also looks at Joris-Karl Huysman’s novel Against Nature, which is often seen as one of the inspirations behind the story.
The Extraordinary Cabaret of Dorian Gray is adapted and directed by Young Vic Genesis director, Linnie Reedman, whose previous directing credits include Miracle, starring Susannah York and Tim Woodward (St Andrew Church Crypt and Leicester Square Theatre) and Poprygunya (Greenwich Playhouse).
The Extraordinary Cabaret of Dorian Gray is performed by James French, Kate Colebrook, Nathan Lubbock-Smith, Henry Maynard and Tamsin Shasha, who are accompanied by original music by award winning composer Joe Evans.
The Extraordinary Cabaret of Dorian Gray premiered in October 2008 at the Café Royal, one of Oscar Wilde’s favourite haunts. In fact, it was staged in the very room in which Wilde entertained his bohemian, musician, actor friends, one of whom was John Gray, the real life inspiration for the character of “Dorian”.
In 2009, the production transferred to Leicester Square Theatre but retained the cafe style flavour of its original conception.
The new production is designed by Christopher Hone, with lighting by Paul Green.
Tickets: £15 to £20.
Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm, Sunday at 4.30pm.
For more information call the box office on 0844 847 2475 or visit www.leicestersquaretheatre.com