'The soul is a terrible reality' wrote Oscar Wilde, the stunningly popular star of 19th century English-language literature. He elaborates in his classic novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, who is so desperate to remain young and beautiful forever, that he is willing to sell his soul. And his wish is granted: he lives a debauched, licentious life, but it leaves no marks on him, his hidden, secret portrait ages and is ruined in his stead.This mystical story, with its wild passions and raging sensuality all but calls out for the stage, and in 1990, composer Várkonyi Mátyás and writer-directors Ács János and Gunar Braunke turned it into a heart-breaking musical. It was also performed in Germany and the UK. In the 2017/2018 season, Dorian Gray will premier in the Emmerich Kálmán Theatre of the Budapest Operetta Theatre, directed by Réthly Attila, who has a personal connection to the piece: while studying directing at the University of Theatre and Film Arts, he was the student of the librettist, Ács János.
The performance is recommended for viewers aged 16 and above.
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