Dorian Gray, Riverside Studios

The Ruby in the Dust theatre company’s pianistic reimagining of Dorian Gray comes to Hammersmith hot on the heels of rapturously received stagings at The Abbey Theatre, Dublin and Cardiff's Concert Hall. Their efforts this time take a semi-musical form, with ivory-tinkling accompaniment. 

The compelling and beautiful Dorian, brought to life from Oscar Wilde’s eponymous novel, is a mysterious artists’ muse on a quest for overwhelming sensation – and he is willing to seek it out at any price. This classic is a richly erotic story, with a secret lurking at its heart, and an abundance of lies, love and the fear of mortality which make it one of the gothic classics of the 20th century.

Described as a “wildly atmospheric” piece by the Guardian when it took over the Leicester Square Theatre’s downstairs cabaret space in 2010, this is the latest in a long line of imaginatively-staged Ruby in the Dust pieces that are always worth catching. 

The company has roots in literary adaptations, having staged The Great Gatsby at The King’s Head Theatre last year, so they’re adept at putting contemporary slants on the classics. Having had three years to evolve and grow since its first outing, we can’t wait to see how this intimate, beautifully designed and eerie production has built on its past success.