Ruby In The Dust to Stage 'DORIAN GRAY' Cabaret as Part of 'Festival of Sex, Love and Death'

Ruby In The Dust announce their involvement in the Festival of Sex, Love and Death: a brand new multi-arts festival featuring an innovative and exciting programme of events: opera, cabaret, physical theatre, new writing and spoken word.

The festival will form a melting pot of theatre-makers connected by the key forces that drive how we perceive and experience our lives: sex, love and death. The festival runs at the Pleasance Theatre from 24th October to 4th November.

Following a gala performance in the Spiegeltent on London's South Bank as part of the Underbelly Festival Ruby In The Dust will be presenting "The Extraordinary Cabaret of DorIan Gray" inspired by Oscar Wilde's gothic novel, for two nights - Friday 27th October and Saturday 4th November.

On the day of his grandfather's funeral, Dorian decides that he should no longer be a 'secret'. Exotic looking, and of uncertain parentage, he has been kept hidden by his grandfather, his mother having died in childbirth. Dorian knows nothing about love, but decides that it is his quest to find it.

While sitting for his portrait by society painter Basil Hallward, Dorian is discovered by the influential Lord Henry and is soon under the spell of this dangerous, charismatic man. Lord Henry starts grooming Dorian for sex, exerting total power over him, thus securing his descent into a totally corrupt world. A world where sex and death share the same bed. And where love dare not speak its name.

When Dorian realises the painting is, in fact, a portrait of his conscience, he is horrified to see the level of corruption depicted on the canvas and decides to try to reverse time.

But is it too late?

Written and directed by Linnie Reedman with music and lyrics by Joe Evans, the story is set in a fantasy, steam-punk world, and stitched together by the narration of the sinister character of Mr Isaacs, a theatre manager who is out to get revenge on Dorian for the "murder" of his protegé Sybil Vane. The tale unfolds in a series of cabaret sketches, with choreography by Penelope Simons, and design by Belle Mundi.

The multi-talented cast includes Lewis Rae, To Kill A Mocking Bird Theatre Royal York, The Wind in the Willows Bristol Old Vic, Someone Like You Novello Theatre London, A Midsummer Night's Dream Regents Open Air Theatre and Ruby In The Dust's Gatsby at the Union Theatre, Joe Cushley, actor and music writer, who regularly contributes to Mojo Magazine and currently writing the history of Stiff Records, Christine Holman, Bad Girls Union Theatre, Can't Buy Me Love Salisbury Playhouse, Lend Me A Tenor Queens Theatre, Desperately Seeking Susan Novello Theatre, Rent Off Broadway, Jo Ashe, Ruby In The Dust's Lady Windermere's Fan King's Head Theatre, founding actor/member of "Globe Players", and Sophie Judd, Cinderella Richmond Theatre, Rent Pleasance Theatre.

The full cast will be announced shortly.

The Extraordinary Cabaret of DorIan Gray is an immersive experience, involving the audience, making them experience Dorian's magic, so that they too may fall victim to his charms.

Tickets are £12 and £10. For more information and booking call 020 7609 1800 or visit www.pleasance.co.uk.

For information about Ruby In The Dust visit www.rubyinthedusttheatre.london.

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