Friday 12 September 2014

The Alchemic Order's The Picture of Dorian Gray by Sister Morticia



Sister Morticia recently saw The Alchemic Order's The Picture of Dorian Gray in Greenwich.  She has kindly agreed to review this unique production.  Over to you Sister Morticia....


The Picture of Dorian Gray, The Alchemic Order, Greenwich 
11th September 2014
by Sister Morticia


 Dorian Gray requests the pleasure of your company at his London Townhouse for an intimate evening of art, intrigue and distant pleasures.


An invitation that few should resist; if Dorian Gray invites one to his home, it is the promise of a soiree not to be easily forgotten.  It is also the start of something quite mysterious.  There is no venue, aside from the information that the town house is in Greenwich.  Only after booking a ticket does one receive the full address, adding to the feeling that his is a very special, exclusive event that just a lucky few can be part of, only those that have sought out such magic and strayed from the well trodden path.

So it is only fitting that this review should continue that feeling, for to strip aside the mystery could ruin the experience.  This is an evening for those who want to wrap themselves in the mystery of Dorian Gray and are willing to abandon the modern world and delight in something more unusual.  


 The Alchemic Order's The Picture of Dorian Gray
Photo Credit: The Alchemic Order (from Facebook Page)
(http://www.thealchemicorder.com)


When arriving at the Georgian town house, the audience members must knock on the door and be greeted by Victor and Mrs Leaf, the house servants who become our guides for the evening.  It is they who lead us into the drawing room, and invite us to sit down under the silk tented ceiling and listen to the pianist who plays in the corner of the room. Champagne is served, we wash our hands in water floating with rose petals and we are given information about the evening. That we are guests in the house, and that we should move around to follow the action, to sit close and listen to the people we shall meet.

It is Victor and Mrs Leaf who inform us that Dorian Gray is ready to meet his guests and lead us to his bedroom of black silk, incense, mirrors and darkness.  Before Mr Gray makes his appearance, there is an almost spiritual cleansing of the room, where Victor reads from an ancient book and Mrs Leaf uses a prayer bowl or singing bowl which resonates around the room.  It feels like the beginning of a séance...

During the evening we meet Basil Hallward, an artist besotted by his new model Dorian Gray; the creature who has inspired his greatest work, a painting in which he has invested his very spirit.  We meet Lord Henry Wotton, who is intrigued by Dorian, fascinated by him and takes him out into the world.  We are drawn deeper and deeper into the life of Dorian, into his joy, into his darkness. We move around the house, out into the garden where there is a Doric temple of a theatre, lights guiding our attention and our way.  We are outside voyeurs to Dorian's love, his indiscretions, his passions, his crimes. We spy on the characters as they talk in other rooms above and below us. There are smoke and mirrors, absinthe and opium, love and death, cruelty and passion.



 The Alchemic Order's The Picture of Dorian Gray
Photo Credit: The Alchemic Order (from Facebook Page)
(http://www.thealchemicorder.com)



To explain the evening breaks the spell. It is a fascinating experience, extremely atmospheric.  Mrs Leaf and Victor are the only ones who acknowledge us, but remain part of the story, interacting with the other characters. They provide the comedy in the evening and are quite a double act, bickering and chiding each other. During the break in proceedings, Victor serves drinks and Mrs Leaf has been known to read the tarot – when the below-stairs maid has not moved the cards!  Dorian is elegant, initially innocent, then petulant, narcissistic and distant from those who love him.  Two actors, Tommy Fitzer and Jamie Walker alternate the role of Dorian.  Samuel Orange is perfect as the incorrigible Lord Henry; he is the one who speaks in Wilde's voice with the witticisms and gentle immorality of a man who has enjoyed all the experiences of life that riches and intelligence can bring.

A haunting, atmospheric and very intimate evening for those that wish to escape reality and immerse themselves in the world of Dorian Gray.



 The Alchemic Order's The Picture of Dorian Gray
Photo Credit: The Alchemic Order
(http://www.thealchemicorder.com)



I very much look forward to the next production from The House of Orange – it promises to be quite magical!

By Sister Morticia
@sistermorticia
11th September 2014


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