Fionn Whitehead to star in new online production of The Picture of Dorian Gray
Fionn Whitehead is to star in a new online production of The Picture of Dorian Gray.
The star of Dunkirk and Black Mirror: Bandersnatch will take on the titular role in an upcoming contemporary digital adaptation of the Oscar Wilde classic.
The Picture of Dorian Gray, from the team behind the celebrated digital production of What a Carve Up!, is set to push the theatrical form like its predecessor; utilising elements found in radio plays, films, documentaries as well as traditional theatrical techniques.
The Picture of Dorian Gray will run for two weeks between 16 and 31 March with tickets available online here for £12. Available to stream internationally, tickets will give audience members a screening link that will be available for 48 hours.
A teaser for the show reads: “Set in a profile pic-obsessed, filter-fixated world where online and reality blur, influencer Dorian Gray makes a deal. For his social star never to fade. For the perfect self he broadcasts to the world to always remain.
“But as his mental health starts to decline, as corruption and murderous depravity start to creep into his world, the true and horrific cost of his deal will soon need to be met.”
The new digital production will reunite the creative team behind the critically acclaimed What a Carve Up! with Henry Filloux-Bennett writing the new adaptation with direction by Tamara Harvey.
On being reunited for this new production Henry Filloux-Bennett and Tamara Harvey commented: “So many of us have found ourselves living in an ever more online world over the last year. But the benefits and the connections digital have offered us come with a darker side – deterioration in mental health, isolation, online manipulation to name just a few.
“Following ‘What a Carve Up!’ we really wanted to explore what would happen if you brought Oscar Wilde’s Faustian tale kicking and screaming into a world of Instagram, Facebook and dating apps.”
The Barn Theatre in Cirencester, the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich will return to co-produce The Picture of Dorian Gray with Oxford Playhouse in Oxfordshire and Theatr Clwyd in Mold joining the collaboration as co-producers.
The producers are also dedicated to supporting fellow theatres across the country during this unprecedented time and have announced that the following theatres will be joining the production as partner venues: Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Arts At The Old Fire Station, artsdepot – North Finchley, Belgrade Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Guildhall Arts Centre – Grantham, Hertford Theatre, Mercury Theatre, Octagon Theatre Bolton, Stamford Arts Centre, The Dukes, The Elgiva, The Lighthouse Theatre, The Lowry, The Torch, The Watermill Theatre, Theatre By The Lake, Theatre Royal Winchester and Watford Palace Theatre.
