ELSIE GOWERS was at the first night of the Croydon Youth Theatre’s summer season
Excitement and clarity is brought to the traditionally ambiguous story of Dorian Gray.
The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde’s only novel, published in 1891, has been adapted by Neil Bartlett for the Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation into a disturbing play, leaving none of the terror behind.
Dorian Gray is being performed at CYTO’s Shoestring Theatre in South Norwood for three nights, ending on Saturday, the start of the youth theatre’s ambitious and broad programme of drama and theatrical performances and workshops over the summer months.
The Picture of Dorian Gray is Wilde’s allegory, set in late 19th century London, describes the life of a wealthy and privileged young man who values his looks and youth above all else. His portrait begins to embody all of his wrong-doing and his aging, allowing him to maintain eternal youth.
Director Andrew McPherson’s vision was brought to life with exceptional set design and quality acting from the young cast. The portrayal of the main three characters was particularly outstanding; Kristian Michael Swaby as Dorian Gray, Zephyr Walinets as Lord Henry Wotton and James Truss as Basil Hallward.
The script and dialogue were entirely reflective of the time period as well as the fears and emotions of each character.
Costumes, hair and makeup effectively contributed to the characters and setting, while also highlighting the passing of time.
Lighting, sound and music were successful in their vital role of emphasising the suspenseful atmosphere. The environment was tense throughout the play, engaging the audience with Gray’s ultimately grim fate.
The theatre was welcoming, and the performance was incredible, provoking nerves, laughter and applause from every audience member.
- Elsie Gowers is an A-level pupil undertaking work experience at Inside Croydon
A D V E R T I S E M E N T
FREE ADS: Paid-up subscribers to Inside Croydon qualify for a free ad for their business, residents’ association or community group, just one of the benefits of being part of our online community. For more information about being an iC subscriber, click here for our Patreon page
PAID ADS: To advertise your services or products to our near 10,000 weekday visitors to the site, which is featured on Google News Showcase and followed by 16,000 on Twitter/X, email us inside.croydon@btinternet.com for our unbeatable ad rates
- If you have a news story about life in or around Croydon, or want to publicise your residents’ association or business, or if you have a local event to promote, please email us with full details at inside.croydon@btinternet.com
As featured on Google News Showcase
- Our comments section on every report provides all readers with an immediate “right of reply” on all our content. Our comments policy can be read by clicking here
Inside Croydon is a member of the Independent Community News Network
- Inside Croydon works together with the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, as well as BBC London News and ITV London
ROTTEN BOROUGH AWARDS: In January 2024, Croydon was named among the country’s rottenest boroughs for a SEVENTH successive year in the annual round-up of civic cock-ups in Private Eye magazine
