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After conquering audiences in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, The Picture of Dorian Gray, is headed to London’s West End with Succession star Sarah Snook taking on the one-woman play.
Snook takes over from actor Eryn Jean Norvill who originated the role in the Sydney Theatre Company adaptation of the Oscar Wilde play that premiered to five-star reviews, sold-out audiences, two season extensions, and an encore show.
Sarah Snook is taking on Kip William’s Oscar Wilde adaption of The Picture of Dorian Gray. Credit: Hugh Stewart
The London show is Snook’s first significant stage project after Succession, the juggernaut series that made her a household name.
And it’s the first show to be exported under a ‘first look’ deal struck between the Sydney Theatre Company and the Michael Cassel Group in 2021.
This gives the Australian producer first dibs on transferring or remounting interstate or international shows that STC creates.
A graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Snook last performed for the STC in 2018 in St Joan as the warrior-saint, and in 2016, appeared opposite Ralph Fiennes in the London seasons of The Master Builder.
Eryn Jean Norvill in her career-defining role in 2020.Credit: Daniel Boud
Snook said of her return to the London stage after seven years: “I am elated to return to the London stage in such an astonishing piece of theatre, “From Oscar Wilde’s remarkable original text to Kip Williams’ stunning adaptation, this story of morality, innocence, narcissism, and consequence is going to be thrilling to recreate for a new audience. I can’t wait.”
Sydney Morning Herald/Age critic John Shand gave St Joan a 4-and-a-half star review and described Snook’s performance as “riveting”.
The Picture of Dorian Gray will open in January at London’s Theatre Royal Haymarket and run for nearly 12 weeks.
Norvill turned The Picture of Dorian Gray into a career-defining performance.
Sarah Snook played Hilde Wangel in The Master Builder at the Old Vic Theatre.Credit: Manuel Harlan
Cassel, producer of the West End Season said: “I knew, from the very first time I saw The Picture of Dorian Gray, that it deserved a global audience. Kip Williams’ genius production is transformative, innovative, transfixing and entertaining and I am beyond excited that the inimitable Sarah Snook will star in this incredible production.
Norvill, he said, had been “enjoying incredible success and earning rave reviews on The Confessions’ European Tour.
“It is really common for shows to change casts when they transfer to Broadway or the West End, and we were absolutely delighted that Sarah Snook was available and interested in being in the show,” he said.
“EJ is a beloved part of the Picture of Dorian Gray family. As well as being Dramaturg and Creative Associate, her original performance is the mould from which all future productions will be cast. She will always be part of the show’s DNA.”
Rehearsals with Snook are expected to begin in Sydney in November before shifting to London in January.
Sydney Morning Herald subscribers can enjoy 2-for-1 tickets* to the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes exhibition at the Art Gallery of New South Wales during June 2023. Click here for more details.
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