Award-winning Manchester-based poet Andrew McMillan has written his first stage play which is set to play The Lowry from Wednesday October 30th to Friday November 1st.
Dorian is a re-telling of Oscar Wilde’s classic The Picture of Dorian Gray and is presented by Proper Job Theatre Company; it is the third part of their Monster Trilogy which sees classic pieces of literature transformed for the stage by renowned poets.
The first, Nosferatu, was written by ‘the Bard of Barnsley’ Ian McMillan and was followed by Medusa re-imagined by award-winning poet Helen Mort.
“I have long been fascinated by the world of theatre so it’s an honour to be approached by Proper Job for this project – and to follow in the footsteps of two great poets, and bring it to my hometown,” says Andrew who is senior lecture at Manchester Writing School.
“Oscar Wilde’s masterpiece is the inspiration for Dorian, but my own personal experiences with eating disorders is reflected in the play.”
Exploring masculinity, body dysmorphia, class, and the gym culture the company use poetry, physical theatre, bold images and a stirring score to examine the subject.
A tired, middle-aged man sets out to change his life and get the body of his dreams; he hires a personal trainer and signs up to a six-month transformational programme, but things start to unravel. Dorian’s body starts to change, but he can’t recognise it so becomes more addicted to the gym and less able to see the results of his work.
“We are delighted to be working with the brilliant poet, Andrew McMillan on this production,” says producer Chloe Whitehead. “At Proper Job we strive to be bold and tell stories that are unusual; to comment on contemporary issues even if they have an ancient inspiration, and Andrew has created just that; we think Wilde would approve!”
Dorian by Proper Job Theatre Company is at The Lowry
Wednesday October 30th, Thursday 31st and Friday November 1st at 8pm
Tickets are priced at £12 concessions £10
Book online at www.thelowry.com
The Full Tour:
Oct 15 Square Chapel Arts Centre, Halifax
Oct 16 The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal
Oct 17 Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield
Oct 18 The Brindley Arts Centre, Runcorn
Oct 22 CAST, Doncaster
Oct 23 Midlands Arts Centre, Birmingham
Oct 24 The Civic, Barnsley
Oct 26 Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
Oct 29 Rose Theatre, Ormskirk
Oct 30 The Lowry, Salford
Oct 31 The Lowry, Salford
Nov 1 The Lowry, Salford