The Picture of Dorian Gray
Devonshire Park Theatre, Eastbourne
until Saturday 17th October
What happens if we give in to the darkest temptations of our souls without consequence? How do we realise this? Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece, and only novel, examines just what could happen in this reality that breaks the chains of the unexplored in a way that reflects the darker sides of the soul. A reflection that caused so much controversy when written in Victorian society where texts were supposed to be a guidebook to society, and how people should lead their lives morally by expectation, as opposed to the wild lifestyle of Dorian Gray.
But how has this disruptive story been recreated and reimagined by a modern-day 2026 era?
Dated as the original text may be, the themes are still timeless, the vanity of perception, the importance laid on other’s expectations through social media, are just current ways of expressing the human desire to please and be desired by others. It poses the question, despite our technological advancement, how different are we now in 2026 to people in the 1890s? A fruitful angle that this production tackles with ease.
The perfectly painted picture of Dorian Gray, depicted by a literal mirror, challenges the audience to see elements of themselves reflected in the story, and bring their own morality to the show. The backdrop of the stage, a rusty giant angled mirror, is a constant reminder of the unpleasant actions of the characters on stage and the audience watching on. The uncertain blur and browned introspection is a reminder of Dorian Gray’s soul corrupting more and more as the story unfolds in front of us.
The strongest elements of the show are it’s cast for sure, particularly by the lead three actors Mark Oxtovy as Basil, Jack Crumlin as Dorian and even more so Mark Hawkins as Lord Henry, a character that twists and manipulates throughout, leading one to question whether this is the devil himself concocting his mischievous ways on the innocent Dorian Gray, or whether it was always within Dorian to become the monstrous being that unravels itself.
For those of us who love dramas steeped in gothic overture, with sinister undertones, this is a real treat. What starts off as a fairly light-hearted, easy-going narrative, quickly plunges into murderous adultery, an animal-like lack of remorse mixed with concerningly human manipulation.
This production leaves a lot to the imagination and raises many questions; what is being reflected in the mirrored portrait? What lingers in the shadows of the stage? Who is responsible for the monstrous creature that is created? A great discussion for a journey home. It is a wonderful step into another period in a historical theatre that makes you feel as if you’ve stepped back in time to truly experience something of another age.
While there are no over-the-top special effects or expensive eyebrow-raising techniques deployed, the beauty of this production lies in its storytelling and raw emotion evoked by a talented cast.
While there are some mild shortcomings in the lighting and certain side-characters adding little substance to the main story, the core narrative and events are gripping and slowly build into a crescendo of drama, horror and exhilaration that left me feeling invigorated.Traditional theatre at its finest, this production is a dark introspection into the psyche that paints a picture of just what humans are capable of. It is a societal observation that unravels before our eyes in a way that is both gut-wrenching and addictively fascinating in equal measure.
Reviewer: Stephen Sheldrake
⭐️⭐️⭐️