The Picture of Dorian Grey | Theatr Clwyd

Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray has lost none of its power to disturb. More than 130 years after it was first published, its themes of beauty, vanity, influence and moral corruption feel just as relevant today. In an age of social media filters, celebrity culture and carefully crafted online personas, Dorian's obsession with preserving the perfect version of himself feels remarkably familiar.

Tilted Wig Productions' adaptation, presented in association with Watford Palace Theatre and currently touring to Theatr Clwyd, embraces those themes while delivering a visually striking and atmospheric production that often proves genuinely engrossing. It is a dark, stylish and thought-provoking production that brings Wilde's classic tale of vanity and corruption vividly to life.

For anyone unfamiliar with the story, Dorian Gray is a handsome young man who wishes he could remain forever young while a portrait of himself ages in his place. As he falls under the influence of the cynical and charismatic Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian begins a descent into selfishness, excess and moral decay while his portrait bears the scars of every sin.

Jack Crumlin gives a strong central performance as Dorian. He captures both the character's youthful charm and the increasingly unsettling arrogance that develops as the story progresses. There is always a sense that something darker is lurking beneath the surface and watching that transformation unfold is one of the production's greatest strengths. Mark Hawkins is equally compelling as Lord Henry, delivering Wilde's sharp observations and provocative philosophy with confidence and ease. His scenes with Crumlin are among the most engaging in the production, highlighting the dangerous appeal of a life lived without consequence.

The emotional core of the story comes through Dorian's relationship with the artist Basil Hallward. Their scenes together add genuine depth and humanity, particularly as the consequences of Dorian's choices begin to emerge. These moments provide some of the production's most powerful drama and prevent the story from becoming simply a gothic morality tale.

Visually, this is an impressive production. The creative team make effective use of mirrors, reflections and striking stage images rather than relying solely on the portrait itself. The result is a world where appearances are constantly shifting and reality feels increasingly distorted. It is an approach that suits the source material perfectly and helps reinforce the themes at the heart of the story. 

The lighting and sound design play a huge part in creating the atmosphere. As Dorian's actions grow darker, the production steadily builds a sense of unease and impending doom. There are moments that feel genuinely haunting, with the technical elements working seamlessly alongside the performances to heighten the tension.

The adaptation is not entirely without flaws. At times it feels slightly overburdened by Wilde's language. His writing is wonderfully rich, but there are moments when lengthy passages slow the pace and affect the dramatic momentum. The second half in particular occasionally loses focus, and some aspects of Dorian's psychological decline could have been explored more fully.

A few of the darker lighting choices also make parts of the action difficult to see, and there are occasional moments where the production seems unsure whether to embrace its Victorian origins or draw stronger contemporary parallels. These, however, are relatively minor criticisms in what is otherwise a thoughtful and visually inventive interpretation of a much-loved classic.

What ultimately makes The Picture of Dorian Gray endure is the uncomfortable truth at its centre. Dorian's desperate need to maintain a flawless public image while hiding the consequences of his behaviour feels every bit as relevant now as it did in Wilde's day. The portrait becomes a symbol not just of guilt, but of everything we choose to conceal from the world - thought-provoking.  

Whilst this adaptation does not always capture the full psychological complexity of Wilde's novel, it succeeds in creating an absorbing theatrical experience filled with strong performances, striking visuals and an atmosphere that lingers long after the final scene.

The Picture of Dorian Grey plays at Theatr Clwyd until Saturday 31st October - tickets and more information can be found here.

★★★★☆ (4*)

Gifted tickets in return for an honest review | Photography by Mark Senior