Photo Flash: THE EXTRA-ORDINARY CABARET OF DORIAN GRAY HALLOWEEN SPECIAL at King's Head Theatre

With just one more performance of "THE EXTRA-ORDINARY CABARET OF DORIAN GRAY", as part the Festival of Sex, Love and Death on Saturday 4th November, Ruby In The Dust announce extra dates added at the King's Head Theatre all this week; on Wednesday 1st, Thursday 2nd and Friday 4th of November, before closing the festival at the Pleasance Theatre on Saturday 4th November.

Set in a fantasy, steampunk world, the new musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde's Gothic Novel transfers direct from a gala performance in the Spiegeltent on London's South Bank as part of the Underbelly Festival.

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 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 live original music, choreography by Penelope Simons, and design by Belle Mundi.

The multi-talented cast includes Adonis Jenieco (as Dorian Gray), Anu Ogunmefun, Jo Ashe, Joe Cushley, Jonathan Whitlow, Lesley Ann Acheson, Penelope Simons and Toby Osmond.

This adaptation began its life as a one night gala presentation in London's Café Royal. Just before it closed its doors for its major refurbishment, the venue was transformed to its heyday glory by taking the story back to its birthplace: staging the show, on Oscar Wilde's birthday, in the beautiful Domino Room - which was where Wilde would hold initial readings of his works, and dine with his lovers.

Photos courtesy of Joe Evans

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