Dorian Gray proclaims, “I have never searched for happiness. Who wants happiness? I have searched for pleasure.” If you’re looking for happiness and pleasure, look no further than Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s production of The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Written by Oscar Wilde and adapted for the stage by Robert Kauzlaric, The Picture of Dorian Gray tells the story of a handsome and vain man, Dorian Gray, who receives a painting of himself painted by a dear friend. This painting represents his likeness so well that it becomes cursed—instead of Dorian Gray aging, the painting ages for him, and all the sins he commits are reflected on the painting’s face instead of on his own. Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s production of The Picture of Dorian Gray is true to the original story while simultaneously adding their unique spin.
Scene from The Picture of Dorian Gray. Photo by Sock ‘n’ Buskin Theatre Company.
The costumes, designed by Zoe Pruys and Sofiya Vidyapina, are elegant, regal, and simply beautiful. Most characters have a younger and older version of themselves, and the costumes illustrated this extraordinarily well. Each character has a signature colour, and both versions of the character are fully dressed in that colour. However, the characters are not dressed the same as their younger/elder counterparts: the details in the costumes are altered slightly, allowing each character to be their unique person, even if they are being doubled on stage. Individually, each costume was gorgeous and represented the period perfectly.
Lighting designers Max Schneider and Owen Feather, and lightning technicians Liam Bain, Mackenzie Lavender, and David Magladry, highlighted the play exceptionally well. In particular, the stage has four lamps, which are utilized at various times throughout the show. Whenever the characters are outside, the curtains are closed, and one streetlamp illuminates. This small choice has a huge effect: the actors are transported from inside to outside. These lamps are also used at various times throughout the play to create a strobe effect, which is used sparingly yet effectively throughout the play
Although there were many incredible directorial choices, one stood out as slightly peculiar—all of the cast members put on British accents for the entirety of the play. Unfortunately, these accents were all quite different from one another and were not cohesive, nor were they effective in representing one specific period or place.
Scene from The Picture of Dorian Gray. Photo by Sock ‘n’ Buskin Theatre Company.
That said, one actor stood out as having perfected his British accent: Bo Doyle, playing Lord Henry Wotton. Doyle’s British accent added to his character, and not only was his accent perfect, but the rest of his acting was, too. Doyle stole the spotlight with all of his witty lines, each and every one of them delivered flawlessly. His instincts are amazing, and he stole the spotlight with every line–at times, he didn’t even have to say anything to steal the show–just a facial expression or a movement by Doyle could spark a laugh in the audience.
Overall, Sock ‘n’ Buskin’s production of The Picture of Dorian Gray was a massive success with exceptional lighting and costume design, along with an amazing set, wonderful acting and inspired direction.
The Picture of Dorian Gray was performed at Kailash Mital Theatre at Carleton University from March 20-23.
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