Anabel Kutay
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Five Reasons To See...Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray

Anabel Kutay has danced in some huge shows, such as Flashdance and Matthew Bourne's Swan Lake. She returns to the work of the genre-busting choreographer this week, via the morality tale - Dorian Gray. Given that Bourne has put his unique spin on everything from Edward Scissorhands, The Nutcracker and Carmen; prepare to be amazed. Here Anabel gives us her five reasons to see Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray at the Lowry.

1. It’s a Matthew Bourne creation:
Therefore pure genius  . . . This is the man who brought you a whole corps de ballet of half naked men in fluffy white swan pants! Matthew Bourne never ceases to breathe a new lease of life into old classics, bringing them bang up to date and reaching out to a whole new audience.

2.Sex, Drugs Rock and Roll:
Matthew’s only piece set in modern day perfectly depicts the London party scene . . . The fashion, the drugs and as always a colourful and very well researched cast of characters.The story is set to a heavy musical score composed by Terry Davies and brought to life by an extremely talented live band. It conjures memories of vodka and lust filled debauchery and is loud, proud and guaranteed to set your pulse racing.

3.Fashionable surroundings:
The costume and set is designed by Lez Brotherston (SO hot right now). It screams immortality . . . classic, black and white, minimalistic and Interactive therefore will never die . . . sorry date. Every costume is designed with the cast members personality and style in mind, making each outfit unique to the individual. No wonder the characters on stage seem so real!

4. The ‘In’ crowd:
Matthews’s work is notorious for it’s glamorous following, guaranteed to draw a bold and beautiful crowd. Roughly translated, this week The Lowry is THE place to see and be seen. PLUS the hottest cast I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with!

5.The moral of the story: 
Behind the glitz this is a cautionary tale. Thanks to reality TV this is a generation desperately seeking their 15 minutes of fame, adoration, admiration. Every Tom Dick and Delilah is striving for an extraordinary lifestyle. Willing to turn their backs on normality, in search of a little excitement. Matthew Bourne’s Dorian Gray screams BEWARE! It’s not all it’s cracked up to be! Be careful what you wish for! Don’t pass the point of no return! Oscar Wilde’s themes, which seemed so contemporary at the time, have never been more relevant.

Dorian Gray runs at the Lowry from Wed 21 - Sat 24 October. Please visit the Lowry website for more details.

- by Glenn Meads

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