The Alchemic Order’s highly acclaimed production returns to Dorian Gray’s townhouse, in the Royal Borough of Greenwich, opening on April 24th 2018 – 127 years, to the day, since the original publication of Oscar Wilde’s only novel. Enter a Victorian salon where guests witness the story unfold around them during a unique and unforgettable evening of art, intrigue and distant pleasures.
The Alchemic Order consider The Picture of Dorian Gray one of the most important works of western literature. A reappraisal of the metaphysical premise of the novel has created a new theatrical experience. Be a guest at the irresistible infamous soirée, in the aristocratic parlours inhabited by the luxurious, languid and licentious world of Wilde and his characters..
“For years, Dorian Gray could not free himself from the influence of this book. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say that he never sought to free himself from it. Often, on returning home from one of those mysterious and prolonged absences that gave rise to such strange conjecture among those who were his friends, each evening while the season lasted, he would throw open to the world his beautiful house and have the most celebrated artists of the day to charm his guests with the wonders of their art.”
Now in its 4th year, the new, revitalised production stands as the eponymous portrait, taking on a life of its own.
Director Samuel Orange says: “When I first began this journey I had no idea how alive this story is; truly alive. As the apotheosis of Wilde’s genius, Dorian Gray does not cease to inspire, constantly provoking me to question, striving to perfect its multi-layered nuances, manifest its radicalism and to transform the novel into this alchemic experience. The production has grown with each investigation, each experiment and on every evening to date. I have become as obsessed with this project as Dorian Gray is obsessed with his portrait. This season, with the new cast, new collaborators and new energies, is set to be something of a new dawn.”
