SHADES OF GRAY

Inspired by Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray, Graeme Murphy’s Shades of Gray sees the infamous Dorian Gray transported into the world of dance.

Receiving its premiere on 25 May 2004 at the Sydney Opera House, Shades of Gray is an intense work rich in symbolic and historical references. Set in the hedonistic milieu of the last few decades of the twentieth century, Shades of Gray cuts a swathe through the destructive decadence of this time.

Unfolding on and off stage in 18 scenes, the story follows Dorian’s dazzling dance career from the late 60′s to early 90′s in several performances within the performance, viewed by the audience as if backstage.The interweaving narrative tracks the downward spiral of Dorian and his celebrity click from glitzy euphoria to out-of-control debauchery. Dorian’s portraits come alive through the ‘Shades’, who represent Dorian’s moral decay.

The Story                Program

Choreographer’s and Music Notes

Review

Video tab above: Shades of Gray trailer.