Theatre / Alma Tavern and Theatre
Review: The Snap Gram of Dorian Gray, Alma Tavern & Theatre – ‘The story couldn’t be more fitting for 2022’
The story of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Grey couldn’t be more fitting for 2022. In an age where selfie culture reigns supreme and the first 1.5 seconds of a video can make or break a viral sensation, the original narrative themes around status and vanity still ring true. Both influencer and aristocrat alike are looking for a SnapChat filter that will give them eternal youth and cult status on TikTok.
In The Snap Gram of Dorian Grey, the directors – Bristol Old Vic Theatre School alumni Ben Nash, Ellie Jay Stevens and writer Truly Siskind-Weiss – give Wilde’s novel a modern edge, bringing it into 2022 by presenting Dorian’s image as a digital portrait.
Throughout the show there are nuances of modernism, from the props – including phones, ipads and an SLR camera – to the locations, from nightclubs and cocktails bars to a club toilet. Added to which, the ravey soundtrack by Andy Jenks and Hannah Bracegirdle is evocative, not to mention pumping, at times.
is needed now More than ever
One can only wish that the dialogue and writing could also have been a little more contemporary, perhaps exploring the depraved narcissism of social media, pushing Dorian to influencer levels of fame and self-obsession.
As a modern take with social media references in the title, more discussion and integration of the apps and content would have really kicked this play into the Metaverse.
On performance, Ethan Meadowcroft-Taylor’s portrayal of Dorian takes us on the journey from meek and mild to a borderline sociopath with zero empathy. Meadowcroft-Taylor’s acting goes deep into the mindset of a man battling an obsession with status, who proclaims in Act 1: “I’d rather die young than grow old”. Spoiler alert: he does.
The minimal and compact set up at The Alma Tavern & Theatre pushes the cast to work harder on the physical theatre. Moving tableau eases scene transitions through key peaks and troughs with special attention paid to the chaise longue – a sort of symbolic portal and time machine, if you will.
The chaise longue also aids with transitions, moving from Basil’s photography studio/flat and later becoming a wall at the men’s urinal, which is genius.
Physicality is a big part of this production too. Guenevere Lambert stands out as a really fluid and excellent performer. Charles Upton, plays a loveable and delightful Basil, and Ben-Henry Lamb embodies a deeply unlikable Henry, the roguish aristocrat.
Considering how hot it was in the little upstairs theatre, the cast really brought the energy and the performance was high octane.
The only misfire of this engaging adaptation is the shyness around talking about social media platforms and the impact they have on the characters.
Including more of this in the dialogue and set design could perhaps have further developed important narrative themes around vanity, narcissism and status.
The Snap Gram of Dorian Gray is at the Alma Tavern & Theatre from October 11-15 at 8pm. Tickets are available at www.tickettailor.com.
All photos: Karol Miksza/Boys in Bristol Photography
Read more: Review: Milked, Alma Tavern & Theatre – ‘A fresh dark comedy with moments of reflection and plenty of laughter’
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