The Picture Of Dorian Gray

The Picture Of Dorian Gray  

Written by: Oscar Wilde 

Adapted by: Merlin Holland and John O’Conner 

Produced by: The Wayfayers Drama Group 

Director: Stephen Fudge 

Date: 24/10/24 

Noda Rep: Mike Purnell 

Thank you Wayfarers for bringing me a piece of theatre I knew very little about. It  would be so easy to churn out the old chestnuts that get done to death and that  you know are safe ticket sellers, but I’ve grown to love the risk taking that The  Wayfayers bring to the table. Thrilled this one paid off in more ways than one. Full  houses and even doing an extra matinee too. Such fantastic news and makes me  very proud that you are in my district.  

Thank you once again for the very warm welcome we really feel apart of the family  now and so look forward to seeing everyone. This play was no exception to the  very high standard we have grown used to at The Hut, and wonderful to see new  faces on stage too. I feel your club is really going from strength to strength.  

Was this show picked with Halloween in mind? It certainly contains elements of the  macabre and depravity and I must say, director Stephen Fudge using an extremely  superb cast, pulled off a very polished production.  

The opening set, whilst being seated, although simple was extremely effective.The  candelabras beautifully lit with the focus of the play, the picture proudly sat  covered centre stage. The decorative flowers added great colour and framed the  stage perfectly and came into their own when future scenes were set outside. I  liked the empty frames set into the backdrop as if to say the picture of Dorian Gray  was the only one that mattered. Again the lighting changes throughout the play  onto the backdrop were very striking and well timed.  

It was very obvious from the start the Director knew exactly where he wanted this  play to hit. It was apparent a lot of work had been put into the characterisations;  there was never any confusion. A very strong cast of principals indeed, each  character coming across the footlights. There were a lot of scenes. I’m so glad you  went down the path of simplicity and I must say most were slick and hardly slowed  the plot at all. This is always a danger to lose the pace and the actors having to  work twice as hard to gain momentum. I wondered why you didn’t use the music  for all changes just only some? Silence can sometimes feel a little awkward. It’s so  easy to sit back and say what could have been slightly speeded up but two  examples I noticed were when the settee was brought on down stage right the  ladies waited for it to be put in place before they came on from the other side.  Whereas they could have come on at the same time and met. Also I thought during  Sybil’s monologue at the theatre she could have started this straight away in one  light whilst the company took their places in dimmed light. It would have only  saved seconds but the pace doesn’t dip. These certainly aren’t Criticisms just observations. The pace in general was excellent and everyone’s pickups were very  on point.  

To achieve what you did in nine weeks was truly remarkable and I understand a  late arrival to the cast (Poppy) gave wonderful performances. This was a very  wordy play and I must congratulate everyone on the slickness of delivery. Not a  prompt in sight. Excellent.  

The dynamics between the three leading men was very clear cut and impressive.  The clash between Basil and Lord Henry was very well measured. The angst and  pain Basil displayed and witnessing his friend slip away from him was very well  judged.  

MAIN CHARACTERS 

Dorian Gray  

A strong actor with great stage presence. Good projection too. I didn’t miss a  word. I hope you enjoyed your return to the stage after quite an absence. I felt you  just grabbed this character by the horns and ran with it and succeeded. Together  with the other two leads you formed the backbone of this play, you in search of  true perfection and eternal youth (aren’t we all?) and discovering this comes at a  very high cost. Your work with Sybil was also well timed and rehearsed. All in all a  very well thought through performance so congratulations. Here’s to the next.  

Lord Henry Wotten 

My favourite part of yours to date. I felt this suited you to a tee. Great diction and  just the right amount of smarminess. Your make up was particularly good. Those  rosy cheeks or blemishes telling us you were definitely a drinker and a smoker but  you aged up extremely well also. I thought the ‘devil may care ‘ attitude came over  really well and liked the relaxedness of your character with the homosexual  undertones. You led Dorian astray down a pathway of destruction, hedonism, and  devastation. Just one little pointer always get the length of your trousers checked, I  wanted to get the wonderweb out! Good work.  

Basil Hallward  

For someone so young I must commend you on a very mature performance. You  were completely believable. You worked so well alongside Dorian and Lord Henry.  You kept a great pace going throughout and I enjoyed your story telling as you use  your eyes brilliantly. They tell us everything. Very believable as the artist and we  could so feel your affection for Dorian. I hope to see you perform in the not too  distant future. Great work.  

Sybil, Lady Agatha and Duchess of Monmouth  

Well what can I say about you other than the fact you are a star.  To step in at the last minute and not take on not one part but three. Incredible.  I thought Lady A was very well pitched. Make up was really good and enjoyed the  accent you gave her. Reminded me of my Grandmother. Sybil was just perfect for  you. Very believable and enjoyed the first half relationship that developed with 

Dorian. The Duchess too was well thought through. Another accent and character.  I’m sure time was not on your side with sorting costumes and making them  perfect. A couple just needed a little nip and tuck but thats me being fussy.  Congratulations to you, you are such an asset to The Wayfayers.  

I must say all other characters were so well cast and individually bought their  characterisations to life. This was such a great team effort on stage and off (backstage team did great work) and great to see a play where all the elements  come together and line up perfectly. I’m sure your sell out audiences are all in  agreement this one was special. Directed with love and care.  

Thank you again for you hospitality  

Much love  

Mike. X

 

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