In 1890, Oscar Wilde wrote a story about a young handsome man who has his portrait painted. He then makes a Faustian bargain, trading his soul for the picture to age, wrinkle and grow ugly instead of his body. This allows the youth to live a dissolute and decadent life with no physical consequences. This story has fascinated readers and viewers for years.

Like Narcissus, Gray is entranced by his own image, but instead of falling in love with himself, is jealous and resentful since the image will remain young and beautiful forever while he ages and grows ugly.

Written and adapted by Kip Williams, the latest version of “The Portrait of Dorian Gray” combines talent and technology. Starring Sarah Snook, the show features the actress playing all the parts. She begins by describing a discussion between Basil Hallward, the artist of the portrait, and his friend Sir Henry Wotton about Hallward’s muse. Hallward obviously lusts after the young man who later Wotton will introduce Gray to his society and debauched living.

Snook plays all 26 roles, donning costumes and changes accents at breakneck speed. She’s onstage the entire two hours, being followed by a camera crew who we see help her with costume and wig changes. (Camera crew- Clew, Luka Kain, Natalie Rich, Benjamin Sheen, and Dara Woo) Snook interacts with films of ‘herself’ and often plays multiple characters simultaneously projected on the huge screen on stage. David Bergman’s video design is natural and realistic, especially when several characters dine together.

The actress, winner of the 2024 Olivier Award for Best Actress is astonishing and unstoppable. Rather than appear exhausted, Snook often laughs and seems to be enjoying herself. The script lends itself to occasional humor as she even interrupts herself as two characters ‘speak’ over one another, arguing who should continue telling the tale

The debauchery is implied but nothing specific is ever shown. Perhaps Williams could have included a way to witness some of Gray’s wicked life - a woman scorned, a man cheated, excessive drinking or drug use- something to demonstrate his dissolute life.

By the end of the story to show the effects of Gray’s corrupt ways, Snook films herself on a mobile phone in an editing program, distorting it so it becomes grotesque. Meanwhile the young lad remains untouched by his sin and debauchery.

The entire production is carefully and meticulously choreographed. The show deals with the age-old obsession with youth and beauty with touches of modernity added to the 1890 story, While offering hints of Wilde’s own penchant for young men, “The Portrait of Dorian Gray” comes alive again in the hands of this talented young woman.