EDINBURGH FRINGE 2017: The Picture of Dorian Gray ★★★★

The Picture of Dorian Gray

White Belly, Underbelly Cowgate (Venue 61)

Sunday 27th August 2017

To put this performance into context, this production of The Picture of Dorian Gray originally was suppose to play in a different venue other than White Belly, but due to water damage, Box Tale Soup had about 15 hours to relocate to White Belly, and at an even earlier start time to what was originally stated, to perform that very Sunday morning. Noel Byrne, one of the actors and creators of Box Tale Soup, apologised in advance for the fact that they had hardly practiced in the space prior to the morning’s performance, but honestly he did not need to apologise as you would've been surprised to believe any of the previous statements due to how slick and professional the production was, even going as far as to say the best production Box Tale Soup has created to date!

Dark and edgier than any previous outing from the company, The Picture of Dorian Gray is beautifully performed by all the cast involved, especially from newcomer Laura Darrall, who portrays Mr Gray and is absolutely captivating in the role. Her expressions and dedication to the character is really visible throughout the whole performance to which you watch on in such enjoyment as she brings so much charisma and  passion into every line she speaks, clearly a skilled professional if there ever was one! Regulars Noel Byrne & Antonia Christophers also continue to delight in their respective multi-roling throughout the course of the piece, with a brilliant adaptation to the tale from the duo which has a perfect tone of darkness mixed with light in other places.

The use of hand puppets and other materials also was on another level to what this company has produced previously; I won’t go as far into detail to spoil anyone’s enjoyment of the production, but a certain red cloth which is used at various stages throughout brings so much imagery and spectacle to the action on stage, and is a really clever device to create the emotion which the company are trying to convey at those specific moments. Also the hand puppets used in this production are incredibly inventive in the fact that they are placed around photo frames, all eight puppets to be exact, and come to life so visually through the talent that never ceases to amaze me from the company.