This is nothing new in entertainment. Fascinated by the possibilities that camera tricks allow, the double (or more) performances have been part of film and television since the dawn of the film. From Peter Sellers in “Dr. Strangelove,” to Hayley Mills in “The Parent Trap” (and later Lindsay Lohan) to most of the main cast of “Back to the Future Part II,” numbers have become classic. “Dead Ringers” has Jeremy Irons, “The Prestige” has Christian Bale, “Orphan Black” has Tatiana Maslany, and “Split” has James McAvoy. Nicholas Cage received an Oscar nomination for playing twins in “Accentration,” and also did it with “Face/Off” alongside John Travolta. (Technically, Kim Novac didn't play two roles in “dizziness,” but it's acceptable to remember that way.)
The Multicharacter format also lasts. Because in reality, if you do the right thing, it's a good way to get critical acclaim. Performers get built-in showcases, a way to demonstrate versatility and scope.
This applies to both Andrew Scott, who takes on all eight characters in Broadway's solo-man “Vanya,” and Sarah Snook, who plays an astounding 26 roles in the Broadway production of “Durian Gray Photography.” Snook's performance, which was nominated for Tony on Thursday, was particularly lively. Looking at it completely stimulates emotions, unlike the surprise that comes from seeing the gymnasts at the famous Olympics. She works full throttle, switching accents and attitude, talking non-stop, running around, changing outfits, two hours, no rest. It's a revelation for many audiences who know her primarily as competitive, but as something that hurts Shivroy from “heritance.” I was exhausted for her by the end – and I saw the second performance of the day.
“Dorian Grey” uses plenty of screens hanging from the ceiling, directed towards a cell phone-like portrait mode. Sometimes, a few snooks appear on the screen. Sometimes, on-stage Snook plays them, creating a slightly, and not entirely coincidental sight, a sort of multi-character tableau that Lander and other creators use in Tiktok. Midway through the show, Snook's Dorian Gray gets hooked on his phone, applying a filter to change his appearance, turning it into Zazzing, turning himself into an entity that might be called a palmist. He essentially created his own digital doppelganger. If you know the story, you know it is not unrelated to his own death. Perhaps the play suggests that the vanity of the internet has transformed us all into multi-character performers.
