Wilde production for Killeen Castle

It wasn't Killeen Castle Golf Club that Oscar Wilde wrote about when he penned the line "I adore simple pleasures; they are the last refuge of the complex" in 'The Picture of Dorian Gray'. But it could very easily apply to the Dunsany estate and its golf club, which is hosting a unique Wilde production to mark its first anniversary. This Saturday night, 15th May, Killeen Castle Golf Club will host a performance of 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' narrated and staged by Wonderland Productions, with Gate Theatre regulars Michael James Ford, Michael Winder and The Royal Shakespeare Company's Simon Courey. Celebrating its first anniversary this week, Killeen Castle has enjoyed a successful first year. The club has now 300 members. The Pelz Scoring Game School at Killeen Castle, the only one of its kind outside of the US, has attracted golfers from all over Ireland as well as over 500 from abroad including countries as far away as Egypt. Under the watchful and expert management of estate manager, Sean McManmon, the fishing on the estate's seven lakes also has attracted significant numbers. "Staging productions like 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' at a golf club might seem unusual," said Barry O'Connor, general manager at Killeen Castle. "We have had a number of similar events here at Killeen Castle over the past year and our members and their guests have really enjoyed them and turned out in large numbers. While golf and fishing are our main priorities, we will continue to provide other activities for our members to enjoy." 'The Picture of Dorian Grey' was the only published novel by Oscar Wilde and the current book of choice by the 'Dublin: One City, One Book' project. It tells of a young man named Dorian Gray, the subject of a painting by artist Basil Hallward, who is so impressed by Dorian's beauty that he becomes infatuated with him, believing his beauty is responsible for a new form in his art. Realising that beauty fades, Dorian expresses his desire to sell his soul to ensure the portrait ages rather than himself. A limited number of tickets at €75 are still available from (01) 689 3000 or by visiting www.killeencastle.com. The evening includes the performance and a three-course supper.