Culture | Back Story

“The Picture of Dorian Gray” points to the future of theatre

A triumphant one-woman show relies on Sarah Snook, daring tech and your imagination

Sarah Snook performs on stage, with screens behind her, in The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Photograph: Marc Brenner

At least since 1998, when a critic described Nicole Kidman’s turn in “The Blue Room” as “pure theatrical Viagra”, the appearance of screen stars on the London stage has stirred complex feelings. Casting A-listers—including, recently, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick and Woody Harrelson—is a reliable way to shift tickets. To some, though, it is a cynical shortcut to success; a victory of marketing over art.

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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “A picture comes to life”

From the March 2nd 2024 edition

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