Dorian

Harlequin Players Club were back on stage with their production of ‘Dorian’, a new adaptation by Phoebe Éclair-Powell and Owen Horsley. The script intertwined Oscar Wilde’s life with his story of Dorian Gray, giving a very interesting piece of writing. Directed by Kell Cowley, this was definitely a celebration of queer history. The music chosen was full of songs related to the LGBTQ+ community, whether it is songs by artists from the community or allies. We had everything from Kylie’s ‘Padam’ to Olly Alexander’s ‘Dizzy’. The set was well constructed and fit for purpose. It was a singular, static set, with the Narrators and other characters telling us where they were, from the clubs that Dorian visited to the theatre he met Sybil to the court room where Oscar was on trial. The pair of staircases either side on stage helped convey these locations, with Dorian sitting on one as if in the box of a theatre. The stage pictures that Kell had created as director were interesting and worked well. The pace of the play was good; perhaps the songs could have been shortened to ensure this pace was kept up throughout. The characters created were very good, especially from the Narrators. Costumes were good, giving a sense of the Victorian period, but with a modern touch. The green carnations worn by the Narrators were a nice touch, remembering Oscar Wilde.

Technical elements were well integrated into the production. The projections were used well throughout – it was a great idea showing the portrait and the deterioration of it this way. Sound and lighting were good throughout.

Connah Felton-Gould played Dorian and Bosie. Connah’s Dorian was suitably vain in every aspect. The change in character was done well, as if Dorian was possessed. From the slightly shy Dorian at the start to the cocky Dorian; it was all nicely played. The parallels between the fictional Dorian and the real-life Bosie were evident in Connah’s performance.

K. C. Finn gave a good performance as Lord Henry and Oscar. K. C. definitely enjoyed playing Lord Henry, being the devil on the shoulder of Dorian, but he really came into his own in the second act with his performance as Oscar Wilde. The emotional turmoil that Oscar went through was performed well by K. C.

Alex Wight played Basil and Robbie. Alex was an assured member of the company and played both his characters well. Both characters were protective; Basil of his muse, Dorian, and Robbie of his friend Oscar. Alex played this really well. You could see the care he showed for both. The scene between Alex as Robbie and K. C. as Oscar in the second act was well performed. It was a very sincere performance from Alex.

Elizabeth Gorman, Matthew Dodd and Kell Cowley led the audience through the story as the play’s narrators, as well as taking on minor characters throughout. All three worked well with the audience, and together in their ensemble roles. They all created individual character well, from Kell’s naïve Sibyl Vane to Matthew’s straight-acting James Vane to Elizabeth’s stern Alan Campbell. There did appear to be some tentativeness in some lines, but as this was a tight-knit group, they helped each other along.

Overall, this was a good production. The performers worked well together, there was good direction, and it was a thought-provoking piece of theatre.

Thank you to Harlequin Players Club for their kind invitation. All the best for your next production, ‘Brief Encounter’, in June.

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