Irene Village Theatre
Title: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
A dark Gothic tale of beauty, temptation and the price of eternal youth.
When the beautiful young Dorian Gray has his portrait painted by artist Basil Hallward, he meets the cynical Lord Henry Wotton, who encourages him to pursue a life of pleasure and sensation. Dorian makes a desperate wish to remain young forever, while the portrait ages in his place.
His wish comes true. As Dorian descends into a life of cruelty, corruption and indulgence, the portrait becomes increasingly withered and grotesque, while Dorian remains impossibly young and beautiful. His appearance protects him from suspicion, even as his reputation becomes darker.
After murdering Basil and being hunted by James Vane, Dorian attempts to change his ways. But when he realises that even his supposed acts of goodness are motivated by vanity, he becomes desperate to destroy the portrait.
He stabs the painting — but instead of destroying the curse, he destroys himself. The portrait becomes young and beautiful once again, while Dorian is transformed into the old, corrupted man he truly is.
A haunting story of morality, identity, vanity and temptation, The Picture of