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Dorian

Reading Rep Theatre

Reviewed – 19th October 2021

“a thoroughly modern and uncompromisingly Queer story”

In an age of toppling statues, do we need heroes any more? Reading Rep has just begun its first ever season in a new home with a play which is partly about Oscar Wilde. This multi-facetted new adaptation of Wilde’s only novel ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’ is an appropriate choice for a Reading-based community-focused professional producing theatre which has as its mission the transformation of lives through theatre.

The Rep’s new home is an impressive £1m conversion of a former Salvation Army hall on the east side of the town.

Phoebe Eclair-Powell and Owen Horsley’s smart and engaging play interweaves the story of a beautiful man who makes a Faustian pact with his own portrait with that of Wilde himself, who was imprisoned in Reading gaol after being found guilty of gross indecency with another man. For many of us, Wilde remains an inspiring and heroic figure, not only for his literary talent but also for the great injustice of his conviction. An official pardon was issued in 2017, the 50th anniversary of the abolition of the crime for which he was convicted.

Eclair-Powell and Director Horsley have made ‘Dorian’ a thoroughly modern and uncompromisingly Queer story. It is peppered with references to the hit TV series ‘Pose’, EastEnders and even Blackadder. Some 16 roles are shared by a lively and appealing cast of just three young actors.

In this fast-moving show we see Dorian in a Victorian artist’s studio as well as in the gay nightclub Heaven. We are also reminded of the death of George Michael. It features an excellent picture frame themed set by E.M. Perry and some effective lighting by Simeon Miller. There are also some gorgeous costumes supervised by Fran Levin.

Successfully casting a ‘wonderfully handsome’ character of ‘passionate purity’ is no mean feat. Andro Cowperthwaite is a most impressive choice for the role. His characterisation is committed and compelling, his delivery excellent and his physical presence entirely suited to the role.

Ché Francis tackles the difficult role of both Wilde himself and that of Henry Wotton, who convinces young Dorian of the extraordinary value and fragility of his own beauty. In this fairly breathless piece, their delivery sometimes lacked clarity.

Francis was partnered by RADA graduate Nat Kennedy who plays both the painter Basil Hallward and Wilde’s lover Robbie Ross as well as a number of other characters. These were vivid and often appealing performances which made much of the comic material in the play, partly at the expense of genuinely engaging this reviewer’s sympathy for Wilde’s predicament.

According to one psychologist, to be a hero, one has to be deviant. See the play yourself to decide if Dorian’s Wilde is a hero or not. Whatever you conclude, you will be guaranteed a rich and engaging evening from an enterprising company which deserves every future success in its impressive new home.

Reviewed by David Woodward

Photography by Holly Revell

Dorian

Reading Rep Theatre until 7th November

Other shows reviewed this month:

Dumbledore Is So Gay | ★★½ | Online | October 2021

Back To The Future | ★★★★ | Adelphi Theatre | October 2021

Roots | ★★★★★ | Wilton’s Music Hall | October 2021

The Witchfinder’s Sister | ★★★ | Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch | October 2021

Rice | ★★★★ | Orange Tree Theatre | October 2021

The Cherry Orchard | ★★★★ | Theatre Royal Windsor | October 2021

Love And Other Acts Of Violence | ★★★★ | Donmar Warehouse | October 2021

Yellowfin | ★★★★ | Southwark Playhouse | October 2021

Brief Encounter | ★★★ | Watermill Theatre Newbury | October 2021

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★★★

“Robert Holtom’s admirable script does keep the audience guessing”

An open coffin dominates the space. Dr Black, recently deceased, lies inside, resting in peace. There’s been a murder, “a most grave affair”… Thus begins Arcola Queer Collective’s unique theatrical attempt at redefining the murder mystery genre. Directed by Nat Kennedy, the show is fun, frivolous and a little bit naughty, creating an enticing crime fiction plot whilst simultaneously reconfiguring the symbolism that make the genre so watchable.

The titular student-ran Cluedo Club regularly meet to dress up in colour-coded character and play everyone’s favourite murder mystery board game. But one night, a power cut disrupts the fooling around, and Reverend Green’s body is found stabbed with a knife in the kitchen. Whodunnit? What secrets are the Cluedo Club trying to hide? Enter Miss Marple wannabe Esther Jones to solve the case using her extensive knowledge of crime fiction to whittle down the suspects. Robert Holtom’s admirable script does keep the audience guessing, and the layering of fictional tropes atop of a real-life crime means the audience learn, guess and deduce with Esther throughout. Some witty one-liners (“Watch out for any lead piping!”) pepper the script, and its overstated, over-the-top style is taken on well by the ensemble. Holtom has almost created a sub-genre of their own – is this the beginning of a queer crime series?

Each character is thoughtfully established and a treat to watch. Despite some shake-y, student-y performances, Jones is by far the strongest played character, both committed to the ham whilst still adhering to character. Lacking perhaps in space, the transitions between scenes could do with some work, but generally speaking, Nat Kennedy creates a coherent and consistent piece of work where each actor knows exactly what they are there for.

Where Holtom’s script fails is the botched climactic reveal, and the unnecessary dip into ‘preachy theatre land’. The former feels rushed and confused; the latter asking the audience (who, by the way, have chosen to come to the King’s Head Theatre on a Sunday as part of Queer Season) to dwell for a moment on the negative (underrepresentation of queer lives in the arts) they surely already know exists. Trust your audience to get the message without ramming it down their throats and let them enjoy seeing queer lives on stage rather than preaching that they do so.

All in all, this is a fabulous piece and a good bit of fun, as any good murder mystery should be, leaving this reviewer at least, guessing until the end.

Reviewed by Joseph Prestwich

Photography by Ali Wright

Tag Archives: Nat Kennedy

Dorian

★★★★

Reading Rep Theatre