Wilde’s iconic fable, especially commissioned from leading theatre-maker Neil Bartlett for the 2012 Dublin Theatre Festival
I represent to you all the sins you have never had the courage to commit.
The Abbey Theatre presents Wilde’s iconic fable, especially commissioned from leading theatre-maker Neil Bartlett for the 2012 Dublin Theatre Festival.
A disturbing tale of a young man’s uncanny ability to remain both young and beautiful while descending into a life of heartless debauchery, The Picture of Dorian Gray was considered proof of both Wilde’s genius and his perversion. His scandalous best-seller of 1891 was one of the most damning pieces of evidence used against him in the trial that brought about his downfall.
This new staging of his black-hearted masterpiece brings literature’s most dangerous anti-hero back to contemporary theatrical life in Bartlett’s trademark visual, flamboyant style.
Neil Bartlett, one of Britain’s most acclaimed and original theatre-makers, returns to the Abbey Theatre following the success of the award-winning An Ideal Husband in 2008. A theatre radical, Neil Bartlett’s recent collaborations are at the forefront of international theatre making and include work with Complicite, Improbable, Lepage, Handspring (creators of Warhorse) and Artangel.
‘…Bartlett has a brilliantly contemporary understanding of Wilde’
The Irish Times
‘…an artist who can really change the way people feel’
The Observer
Booking Details:
Wednesday 3 October – Saturday 24 November
Previews: Thursday 27 September 2012 – Tuesday 2 October
Monday – Saturday 7.30pm, Saturday matinee 2pm
On the Abbey stage
Please note: This play contains some strong language.
Assisted Performances
Sign language interpreted performance: Thursday 8 November
Audio described and captioned performance: Saturday 10 November
Matinee Club: Saturday 10 November
Ticket prices: €18 – €40 / Conc. €13 – €25
Related Events
Other voices: Is S/he one of them?
talk 4 October
Wilde at Heart: Rupert Everett
talk 16 October
Talking Text Workshop - The Picture of Dorian Gray
workshop 27 October
Other voices: The Morality of Mentorship
talk 30 October
And Also…
The Picture of Dorian Gray - Resource Pack
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. Adapted and Directed by Neil Bartlett.
NEWS 22 Nov 2012
And Also…
National Gallery goes ‘Wilde’ in November
‘Art for Art’s Sake’ is the theme of the National Gallery of Ireland’s series of talks in November 2012, organised in association with the Abbey Theatre’s production of Oscar Wilde’s ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’.
NEWS 30 Oct 2012
And Also…
Tours at Dublin City Gallery The Hugh Lane
In The Picture of Dorian Gray, Neil Bartlett has taken Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece and reinterpreted it for stage.
NEWS 17 Oct 2012
And Also…
Tom Canton discusses his professional debut
Tom Canton, currently playing Dorian in The Picture of Dorian Gray, discusses his thoughts on his professional debut, working at Ireland’s national theatre and taking on such an intriguing character.
NEWS 12 Oct 2012
And Also…
Sadie Lee - an acclaimed yet controversial artist
Phil Kingston, Community and Education Manager at the Abbey Theatre, introduces award winning artist Sadie Lee.
NEWS 1 Oct 2012
And Also…
In conversation with Neil Bartlett, Director
Edited from an interview with Neil Bartlett on Today with Pat Kenny, RTE Radio 1.
NEWS 26 Sep 2012
And Also…
#PictureofDorianGray
Look who’s talking about The Picture of Dorian Gray online
NEWS 19 Sep 2012
And Also…
Everyone thinks they know the story of Dorian Gray
Oonagh Murphy, Abbey Theatre Resident Assistant Director, describes the first day of rehearsals.
NEWS 27 Aug 2012
REVIEWS: WHAT THE CRITICS SAID
No critic reviews have been added yet, check back soon.
REVIEWS: WHAT YOU SAID
See all (6) reviews* * * * *
I liked the play very much. The use of that Greek chorus estranged us now and then from the reality and made the play to a morality play, which it of course is. A good idea was not to show any painting of Dorian Gray, only dark colours on the canvas. The actors were all excellent, especially those acting Dorian grey and Lord Henry.
Kaarina Huhtalaevent, Ulvila, Finland 9 Dec 2012, 21:04
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Congratulations to Charlotte and the whole cast and crew on a wonderful production. I attended the play last Saturday and I was captivated! The play has a star-studded cast and it is stylish and thought provoking. I loved the clever use of the chorus and the microphones to comment and clarify the action. Lord Henry, Basil and Dorian were incredible as was the tragic Sybil. Charlotte’s reappearance as the Duchess was superb (what a very convincing accent), along with the rest of the cast she looked wonderful is her excellent wig and magnificent & entirely appropriate costume to transport the audience to another time and place. The play had a timeless quality and lessons still completely relevant to a 21st century audience were not lost on this audience.
Well done to The Abbey! You never fail to impress and we are already looking forward to seeing ‘The Dead’ in December.
Louise Webbevent, Ireland 23 Nov 2012, 10:37
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Loved this adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray!
Excellent performances by all the very talented cast. Jasper Britton was my personal favourite - his portrayal of Lord Henry was as charming and seductive as the character himself.
Patricia Dunneevent, Dublin 18 Nov 2012, 20:49
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I rang yesterday requesting info re parking and somewhere to eat nearby the theatre. I was speaking to a very pleasant man who was more than helpful. We were in the abbey last night - 30 Oct. and I just want to say we thoroughly enjoyed the evening. Thank you all.
Philomenaevent, Dublin 31 Oct 2012, 16:15
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It was amazing. The actors were so professional; they really brought Wilde’s work to life. The sets and the production were marvellous.This was one of the best plays that I’ve ever seen; much more than I ever expected. Well done to everyone concerned.
Ritaevent, Dublin 29 Oct 2012, 22:08
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Absolutely incredible! The cast are unbelievably talented, the emotion was palpable right through to the end. I loved it!
Stephanieevent, Dublin 29 Sep 2012, 02:40
HAVE YOUR SAY