Succession’s Sarah Snook plays a whopping 26 characters in a one-woman West End production of Oscar Wilde’s A Picture Of Dorian Gray
She played the ruthless, career-driven Shiv Roy in a Golden Globe-winning turn in Succession.
And now Sarah Snook is taking on an even bigger acting challenge by playing 26 characters on stage in a one-woman show in London’s West End.
The Australian actress, 35, will star in an adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s A Picture of Dorian Gray at the Theater Royal next year, playing male characters including Gray and Basil Hallward, as well as female characters such as actress Sibyl Vane.
Ms. Snook, who was a relative unknown before landing the role of the youngest of the Roy children in HBO’s Succession, will take the stage for nearly 12 weeks in January 2024 in what will surely be her most demanding acting project to date.
Adapted and directed by Sydney Theater Company Artistic Director Kip Williams, the play has already had successful performances in Adelaide, Auckland and Melbourne starring actress Eryn Jean Norvill.
Impressive! Sarah Snook is about to take on a massive acting challenge playing 26 characters onstage in a one-woman West End adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s A Picture of Dorian Gray
It is not the first time the actress has appeared on stage in London, as she appeared in 2016 in The Master Builder opposite Ralph Fiennes.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to the London stage in such an amazing piece of theatre,” she said.
From Oscar Wilde’s remarkable original text to Kip Williams’ stunning adaptation, this tale of morality, innocence, narcissism and consequence will be thrilling to recreate for new audiences. I can not wait.’
She told the BBC it would be an “exciting challenge” to take on all 26 roles.
Director Williams uses multiple live cameras and pre-recorded video throughout production to bring the story to life with Ms. Snook in every role. The performance lasts two hours without intermission.
Williams said: ‘When making a new piece of theater like The Picture Of Dorian Gray you always hope to get the chance to share it with a wider audience.
“I’m so excited for London theater lovers to experience our show and I’m thrilled that the extraordinary Sarah Snook brings to life the many characters of Oscar Wilde’s remarkable story.”
Ms. Snook was last on screen last month in the heart-pounding Succession finale, in which her character Shiv made a shocking decision to go against her brothers Kendall and Roman and vote for a company takeover.
The hard-working star – who gave birth to her first child with comedian husband Dave Lawson just weeks before the show’s finale – has just seven months to prepare for her rigorous role.
Fame: Sarah gained recognition playing the ruthless, career-driven Shiv Roy in a Golden Globe-winning turn in Succession
Back on stage: It’s not the actress’s first time on stage in London, as she appeared in The Master Builder opposite Ralph Fiennes in 2016
Before that, she will appear on the big screen in the upcoming comedy-drama The Beanie Bubble, about the Beanie Baby phenomenon, opposite Zach Galifianakis and Elizabeth Banks. She also voices a character in the Disney+ series, Koala Man.
Wilde’s only novel, published in its full version in 1891, tells the story of the aristocratic Gray who sells his soul to preserve his beauty as a portrait of him ages.
There is a colorful cast of characters that Mrs. Snook will inhabit, including artist Hallwood who has a crush on Gray and the charming Duchess of Monmouth.
British actress Ruth Wilson recently achieved a similar theatrical feat when she appeared on stage in The Second Woman, playing the same scene with 100 male strangers over a 24-hour period.
The play, staged at The Young Vic, saw a host of stars including Idris Elba and Andrew Scott play the part, as well as a number of untrained actors.