OSCAR WILDE INSPIRES ARTISTIC FLAIR FOR LOCAL MATHEMATICIANS

"Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing. . . ."

The only published novel of the famed master of literacy, Oscar Wilde, is celebrated in an ingenious new theatre adaptation of the story of The Picture of Dorian Gray [published in 1890, before he reached his height of fame], as the renowned talent of Big Telly Theatre Company brings this intriguing work of art to life with an All-Ireland spring tour from Friday 3 February to Saturday 11 March.

Zoë Seaton, Artistic Director for Big Telly, continues to shine an extraordinary creative approach to contemporary theatre, ensuring her productions reflect a relevance to social issues. A busy programme of community outreach projects is in action in association with The Picture of Dorian Gray production.

A Painting by Numbers initiative began with mathematics students from Coleraine Inst on Monday, partnering school pupils from Loreto College, Dominican College, Coleraine High School, and North Coast Integrated College with Coleraine-based Irwin, Donaghey Stockman accountants, in Big Telly's innovative project part-funded by the Arts & Business New Partners Scheme to encourage school-leavers to consider artistic elements involved in mathematics and related careers.

Big Telly's Special Effects Designer has been working with staff at IDS to design a portrait that can be recreated through painting by numbers. The youth are invited to produce their own portrait of Dorian Gray, as each section of the portrait contains a mathematical problem set by the accountants. During the project, the production's Special Effects Designer has enlightened pupils about the use of effects in theatre and film. The portraits will be on display in the foyer of the Riverside Theatre, Coleraine, during The Picture of Dorian Gray performances from 9 -11 March.

Big Telly would like to collect vintage paintings created through 'Paint-by-Numbers' when it began in the 1950's, on loan from local people to display at the exhibition. Leonardo da Vinci, who used to use diagrams and number them when he was instructing his students in painting, apparently inspired the phenomenon.

Big Telly are inviting local people to hunt for interesting or mysterious vintage 'Paintings (or pictures) from the Attic' that might hold a story, to drop them into the Irwin Donaghey Stockman offices, 23-25 Queen Street in Coleraine for display during the exhibition at the Riverside Theatre. Please clearly label it with your details and collect from the IDS offices following the exhibition to ensure its safety.

A Creative Youth Partnerships programme for Big Telly's The Picture of Dorian Gray is also introducing schoolchildren to theatre relating to English and Drama curriculum. But, it's not only youngsters who are benefiting from Big Telly's imaginative projects. Older people province-wide are involved in fourteen Cameo and Interactive Movement workshops kindly funded by The Foyle Foundation, Active Lifestyles and The Enkalon Foundation, as part of The Picture of Dorian Gray tour, through the Arts for Older People Network.

Award-winning creators of the successful water-theatre premiere, The Little Mermaid, Big Telly Theatre Company has developed yet another not to be missed production, in an enchanting adaptation of decadence and deceit, where Oscar Wilde celebrates a soul of beautiful potential, if only it wasn't for the grace of growing old, in a masterpiece of mystery and wit. The production will bring together the company's contemporary approach to popular Irish Classics and its reputation for theatrical innovation and visual flair. This late Nineteenth Century novel has much to say to today's world, obsessed with youth and image, a world where age is never put before beauty.