Dorian Gray dancing his way to Theatre Royal

Jun 23 2008 by David Whetstone, The Journal

TICKETS for the autumn season at Newcastle Theatre Royal have gone on sale to the general public and business is likely to be lively.

Matthew Bourne fans will be thrilled to see the choreographer’s latest work, a dance adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s novel The Picture of Dorian Gray, coming to the venue from September 23 to 27. The Theatre Royal is one of only five venues in the country to stage the show.

Bourne, who first hit the headlines with his corps of male swans in a ground-breaking Swan Lake, has since wowed North East audiences with The Car Man and Edward Scissorhands.

The essence of Bourne’s Dorian Gray is faithful to Wilde’s only novel which tells of a handsome young man who remains untouched by extravagant living and the passage of time while his portrait ages instead.

It is known as the last great gothic novel. Bourne’s version is said to be “darkly seductive.”

It is preceded in September by the National Theatre production of Michael Frayn’s theatrical comedy Noises Off (September 15-20).

Frayn is reported to have been standing in the wings one day, watching a farce he had written called Chinamen, and declared that it was funnier off stage than on. Noises Off followed some years later.

The season kicks off with yet another production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (September 1-13) which stars Any Dream Will Do runner-up Craig Chalmers.

The real, leaves-off-trees autumn brings Shout! (November 16-22), a new 1960s musical starring not Lulu but Claire Sweeney and Su Pollard. It promises to be a feelgood show with singalong hits such as Downtown, Son Of A Preacher Man and These Boots Are Made For Walking.

Next February will see the only performances outside London – prior to a West End run – of Joe Orton’s Loot starring Matt Di Angelo whose telly exposure includes EastEnders and Strictly Come Dancing.

Orton, who was killed by lover Kenneth Halliwell in 1967 at the age of 34, was a scallywag who outraged and amused audiences.

The first production of Loot, which tells of two lads who hijack a coffin to store the proceeds of a crime, was panned when it opened in 1965. But the play has stood the test of time.

Opera North and the Royal Shakespeare Company visit before the panto, Robinson Crusoe & the Caribbean Pirates, takes the stage over the festive season.

Next year there are musicals in abundance with the ubiquitous Blood Brothers (January 19-31), the 50th anniversary tour of West Side Story (February 10-21) and Evita (June 22 to July 4, 2009).

West End legend Elaine Paige will celebrate her 40th year on stage with concerts on February 23 and 24.

For full details and tickets, visit www.theatreroyal.co.uk