Picture perfect

The great Irish dramatist Oscar Wilde is known principally for his acerbic wit and for having a penchant for male lovers. Sadly, in later years the latter tended over time to take precedence over the former in many people's conceptions of the writer.

Nonetheless, he did leave an extensive cannon of brilliant writing. His only published novel is A Portrait Of Dorian Grey, which first appeared in serial form in a magazine in 1890. Now, one of our very finest translators and adaptors Tony Cassar Darien has both adapted the book for the stage and translated it into Maltese as Għadek Tiftakru lil Dorian Grey.

It is being produced by Curtain Raiser Theatre Troupe and will be directed by Curtain Raiser's main man Patrick Vella. The story concerns a handsome young man with a decadent soul whose portrait in his attic ages grotesquely, while he remains young and beautiful, at least on the surface.

That he gets his just desserts in the end is no more than a Victorian reader would expect.

Dorian will be played by one of our most talented young leading men, Malcolm Galea. The painter of the portrait, Basil Hallward will be Carlos Farrugia. Lord Henry Wotton, Dorian's aider and abetter will be Roderick Vassallo, while others in the cast are Chrysander Agius, Joe Pace and Leontine.

Għadek Tiftakru lil Dorian Grey will play at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta from April 25 to 27, each evening at 7.30 p.m. Tickets may be obtained from the Manoel Theatre booking office, tel: 2124 6389. Or via e-mail at bookings@teatru manoel.com.mt. The production is sponsored by Air Malta, BOV, MTA and The Malta Council for Culture and The Arts.