"I am jealous of everything whose beauty does not die," is but one famous line from Irish poet and playwright Oscar Wilde's classic The Picture of Dorian Gray, a philosophical fiction and gothic horror novel (also described as moral fantasy) written in the 1800s. Using Wilde's original words, a stage adaptation by British director, performer, and writer Neil Bartlett brings this darkly captivating tale into sharp focus for our modern age.
Directed on home soil by UJ's Jade Bowers, The Picture of Dorian Gray explores the collision of reality and morality. The story follows a young man, Dorian Gray, who has been blessed with eternal youth; but his reckless pursuit of pleasure and immoral behaviour slowly degrades his soul. "This adaptation explores the boundaries of both the original text and our own perceptions of beauty, desire, and morality," says Bowers.
The performance features an outstanding cast of students from UJ Arts Academy including Jaques De Silva, Andreas Damm, Sanelisiwe Yekani, and Liezl De Kock, as well as members of the Market Theatre Foundation's Kwasha! Theatre Company. Meanwhile, the set, props, and costumes were designed and crafted by second-year Faculty of Art, Design, and Architecture (FADA) students. Bowers says, "We've created a visually striking and thought-provoking experience that brings Wilde's dark parable into a contemporary context." This collaborative approach is part of FADA's Interdisciplinary Theatre Programme, initiated by UJ Dean Federico Freschi in 2017.
From Tue, Mar 4 – Sun, Mar 16, lovers of literature and theatre can watch a compelling, emotionally charged, and challenging staging of The Picture of Dorian Gray at Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at UJ's Kingsway Campus in Auckland Park. In the interest of inclusivity, two performances will include a sign language interpreter for hearing-impaired audiences. Tickets are R80 – R120 p.p. Book your seats here.
