El retrat de Dorian Gray

Àngels Gonyalons embodies Oscar Wilde to address a world still obsessed with youth and image.

“Just as the gods, one day,
gave you beauty,
so the gods, one day,
can take beauty from you…
(and turn it to dust,
and turn it to ash.)”

Àngels Gonyalons steps into Oscar Wilde’s shoes to defend El retrat de Dorian Gray against the attacks of the critics of his time, and it is through her voice that we see all the characters in the controversial novel. She is Dorian, the young man who envies the beauty of his own portrait and makes a pact with the devil to preserve his youth for ever. She is Basyl Hayward, the painter of the controversial portrait. She is Sybil Vane, the young actress with whom Dorian falls in love. But above all, she is Lord Henry, the depraved dandy who accompanies Dorian on his descent into hell, while his portrait is monstrously transformed. The cult of youth and the narcissistic individualism at the heart of the piece resonate today, in a world like ours, governed by aesthetics and obsessed with the latest novelty.

With dramaturgy and direction by Marc Rosich, and original music by Jordi Cornudella, the piece is a true tour de force for the actress. Supported by a male vocal trio and accompanied by a string quintet, the production brings text and music together in a delicate chamber piece.