Overview
Goodbye Shiv Roy, hello Dorian Gray — plus every other character in Oscar Wilde's gothic-literature masterpiece. That's Sarah Snook's current path. The Australian Succession star is swapping the hit HBO drama, which wrapped up forever with its just-aired four season, with a stage date with the sinister portrait that lets its subject stay young and beautiful. And, she's playing every single role in the production.
On the page, The Picture of Dorian Gray is exceptional, as well as astute and unnerving, as it follows the selling of its namesake's soul in order to keep indulging every corporeal whim, urge and desire. There's a reason that it just keeps getting adapted for the screen and in theatres, after all. But there's never been a version like Sydney Theatre Company's The Picture of Dorian Gray, which is the iteration that Snook will star in — in the UK's West End.
HBO
This news is two huge announcements in one: Snook's return to the London stage after debut in the 2016 production of The Master Builder, and this Aussie reworking of Oscar Wilde's classic making its UK premiere. With its high-profile star, The Picture of Dorian Gray is headed to The Theatre Royal Haymarket, with a season from Tuesday, January 23–Saturday, April 13, 2024 locked in.
Premiering in Sydney 2020, this take on the tale uses video and theatre to get its star playing 26 characters. In Australian runs, Eryn Jean Norvill has done the honours, and brilliantly, with Snook following in the actor's footsteps abroad.
"I am elated to return to the London stage in such an astonishing piece of theatre," said Snook. "From Oscar Wilde's remarkable original text to Kip Williams' stunning adaptation, this story of morality, innocence, narcissism and consequence is going to be thrilling to recreate for a new audience. I can't wait."
Williams, who adapted Wilde's text into the phenomenal production and also directs, is heading to the UK as well.
"In creating a new piece of theatre like The Picture of Dorian Gray, you always hope to have the opportunity to share it with a wider audience. I am so excited for theatre lovers in London to experience our show, and am thrilled to have the extraordinary Sarah Snook bringing to life the many characters of Oscar Wilde's remarkable story."
Dan Boud
Taking the show to London is part of a partnership between STC and Michael Cassel Group, which is all about sharing the former's works around the globe. A similar path — from Australia to the UK, but originating from the Griffin Theatre Company — has worked out spectacularly for Prima Facie, with the British production starring Killing Eve's Jodie Comer winning Best New Play and Best Actress at the 2023 Laurence Olivier Awards.
On-screen, Snook will next be seen in straight-to-streaming films Run Rabbit Run and The Beanie Bubble.
Check out a trailer for STC's Australian seasons of The Picture of Dorian Gray starring Norville below:
The Picture of Dorian Gray will play The Theatre Royal Haymarket, 18 Suffolk Street, London from Tuesday, January 23–Saturday, April 13, 2024 — for more information and tickets, head to the venue's website.
Top image: Alexi Lubomirski.