A musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s 1891 novel that needs to be refined.summary
Rating
Ok
Oscar Wilde’s only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, has been captivating readers for years with its dark themes of morality and redemption. Dorian the Musicalis an adaptation that unfortunately lacks the depth and lyricism of the original work.
Linnie Reedman (director, book and lyrics) and Joe Evans (music and lyrics) have slightly updated the novel’s plot. In their version Dorian Gray (Alfie Friedman) is a songwriter and illegitimate son of an aristocrat. He has sold his soul to the devil in order to retain his good looks and eternal youth, but instead of Basil Hallward painting a portrait of him as happens in the original text, we have Baz who takes Dorian’s photograph.
It’s unclear when the musical is set. Despite dressing in 80s glam rock costumes, the cast speak in an archaic manner, but also reference social media. Dorian goes viral on YouTube for his singing, which is how his agent/ lover, Harry Wotton (George Renshaw), discovers him.
With plenty of rock numbers and ballads, ‘Don’t Turn Away’ is the most enjoyable. Sung by Leeroy Boone and Gabrielle Lewis-Dodson, their voices blend well, expertly conveying their emotion. Yet other songs don’t quite meet the same standard, with a few ending rather abruptly, leaving a sense of being incomplete. One other number has random beats thrown into it, presumably to convey a creepy and eerie tone, but it doesn’t fit.
The band plays on stage and above them is a mezzanine level which is used for two death scenes. Yet these scenes aren’t very effective, especially because after their deaths, they remain lying for a long time before awkwardly walking down the stairs to exit the stage!
The audience do not feel connected to the characters because they are presented to us on a surface level, lacking depth and substance. Their words are clichéd and carry no weight, making it difficult to engage with the plot. Subsequently. It all makes their relationships with each other unbelievable.
Most of the action takes place in Dorian’s studio. The set is fairly bare except for a chaise lounge and drinks cart, stocked with a copious supply of cocaine, which characters randomly snort at the most inappropriate moments. Other scenes are set in a club called Club 27. Guitars and records adorn the back wall of the stage and fittingly hung up around the theatre are portraits of members of the “27 club” (a nickname for artists who died aged 27, such as Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin).
With amendments, this musical has the potential to become a big hit. Rock ballads do suit the hedonistic and Gothic elements of Wilde’s novel. But Dorian the Musical still needs space to develop and find its unique voice.
Book, lyrics and directed by Linnie Reedman
Music and lyrics by Joe Evans
Musical direction by Aaron Clingham
Set and costume designed by Isabelle Van Braeckel
Dorian the Musical plays at Southwark Playhouse Borough until 10th August. Further information and tickets can be found here.
