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 thatwe 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