Brand-new modern musical retelling of The Oscar Wilde classic novel
Ruby in the Dust Theatre and Southwark Playhouse are delighted to announce the full cast for Dorian: The Musical which will premiere at Southwark Playhouse Borough (The Large) for a five-week run, from 4th July to 10th August 2024.
The iconic lead role of Dorian will be played by emerging talent Alfie Friedman (he/him), George Renshaw (he/him) stars opposite Alfie as the hedonistic, monied, deeply charming and compelling Harry Wotton (Theatre includes: JD in ‘Heathers’ at The Other Palace, ‘Roman Holiday’ at Theatre Royal Bath, and ‘South Pacific’ at Sadlers Wells). Leeroy Boone (he/they) plays Baz Hallward - a deeply moral man, the painter of the portrait and infatuated with Dorian. Megan Hill (they/them) plays Sibyl, Dorian's first love, who struggles deeply with his rejection. Megan doubles as Sibyl’s avenging sibling Fabian. Gabrielle Lewis-Dodson (she/her) plays Victoria Wotton, Harry’s wife, Rhys Lambert (he/him) will be featured ensemble and understudy Dorian and Baz.
A lonely boy pines for the world to notice him.When suddenly he becomes an overnight musical sensation, he discovers the dark side of his wish even when he has everything he has ever wanted, his life is somehow still empty.
This striking piece of new musical theatre skilfully explores the dark side of eternal youth with a modern twist. A fully 21st-century production of the Victorian classic incorporating rock music and social media while remaining true to the bohemian thrill of the original. It follows Dorian Gray, a wannabe rockstar with grandiose dreams who strikes a dangerous bargain to achieve success. Inspired by the classic Oscar Wilde novel, this musical retelling explores the heartache as Dorian faces the prospect of eternal glory which opens a Pandora’s box of love, lust, and corruption. Charismatic music producer, the ‘Lord’ Harry Wotton, wants Dorian to be immortal. Baz Hallward, the celebrity photographer, wants to capture his soul. Sibyl Vane, a young opera singer, just wants to love him. But Dorian feels cursed. He believes he has sold his soul. He is the ‘King of Black Hearts’. Trapped in his eternal youth he wants to change the course of his life. We follow him on the quest for his true identity as he falls further and further into the belief that to love him is to die. Is it too late to change the course of his life?
This atmospheric and ambitious interpretation is fully updated for 2024 audiences - darker, more explicit, and overtly queer; society’s rules during Oscar Wilde’s life necessitated that he had no choice but to hesitate over the extent of the homoerotic content he should include in his novel. Dorian: The Musical has the freedom to explore this subtext.
Dorian: The Musical features music and lyrics by Joe Evans and Book by Linnie Reedman.
DORIAN THE MUSICAL : 4th July-10th August 2024
Venue: Southwark Playhouse Borough, London SE1 6BD
Tickets: DORIAN: The Musical - Southwark Playhouse