Vanity, temptation and hidden darkness – just in time for Halloween. Director Seán Aydon brings a bold new version of Oscar Wilde’s gothic classic to Theatr Clwyd.
Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray has thrilled readers for more than a century. Now, from 27 to 31 October, it comes to the stage in Mold. Ahead of opening night, Seán talks about his adaptation, his love for Wilde and why the story still feels so relevant today.
A Heaven and a Hell in Us All
So what is the story really about? For Seán, it all comes down to one line. Lord Henry insists that “conscience and cowardice are really just the same thing, Basil.”
“Are we really good, or is the only reason we don’t do ‘bad’ things that we’re scared of the consequences?” he asks. “It’s quite a terrifying and unsettling thought that we all have a ‘heaven and a hell in us’, and that we are all capable of following Dorian’s path. What would you do if you thought you could get away with it?”
A Story That Never Grows Old
More than 130 years after it was published, the novel still speaks to modern audiences. “The themes of Dorian Gray are eternal,” Seán says. “In some ways, it feels like a Greek tragedy, or a myth that could have always existed, so it never feels stale. We are all aware of our own decay, and we will always be trying to beat it.”
In fact, he believes the story may matter more now than ever. “We live in a society that values youth and beauty as much as it ever has – something our modern audience will be well aware of.”
Unashamedly Himself
While researching the production, Seán became fascinated by Wilde himself. “He was so unashamedly and unequivocally himself, regardless of what anyone may think,” he says. “That’s a quality we champion in 2026, but it must have made him seem like an alien in Victorian London.”
This is also a return visit for Seán, who is revisiting the play seven years on with a brand-new company. “It is such a personal and impressionable text that it will be completely different with different individuals in the cast, bringing their own fears and desires,” he explains. “Even those who know the book well will be caught off guard by how visceral and tense this 136-year-old story can feel.”
From Witty Banter to Tense Thriller
Without giving too much away, what can audiences expect? “An evening that starts with witty banter and playful fun, and descends into a tense, disconcerting thriller,” Seán promises.
And what would Wilde himself make of it? “I’m sure he would be baffled by the acting style of our time,” Seán laughs. “But I like to think he’d think the characters looked rather fabulous.”
The Cast
Jack Crumlin plays Dorian Gray, with Mark Oxtoby as Basil Hallward and Mark Hawkins as Lord Henry Wotton. Lydia Whitehead (Sybil Vane), Ayesha Griffiths (Catherine Vane), Lydea Perkins (Lady Victoria Wotton) and Max Burnett (Romeo) complete the company.
Performance Times
- Tuesday 27 October – 7.30pm
- Wednesday 28 October – 2.30pm and 7.30pm
- Thursday 29 October – 7.30pm (captioned)
- Friday 30 October – 7.30pm
- Saturday 31 October – 2.30pm and 7.30pm
To book, visit theatrclwyd.com or call the Box Office on 01352 344101.
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