Dorian Gray Tickets

In this production Matthew Bourne brings his innovative touch to the world of Dorian Gray and updates Oscar Wilde’s classic tale of narcissism and a society obsessed by looks. Bourne re-houses Dorian Gray and places him in modern day London, where he is a poster boy for perfume marketing within the contemporary fashion industry. Dorian Gray is absolutely obsessed with his own looks and this is not helped by the world that he lives in being determined by image, where how you look at what you wear is paramount. It is a shocking environment, in which Gray is the ‘It Boy’ amongst his generation and soon enough he makes a pact with the devil to maintain this. Bourne proves that by updating this classic Wilde story, he can demonstrate just how relevant it is to the modern world.

It is so relevant that it proved highly popular when it was previously found at Sadler’s Wells Theatre. It was also found monumental success at the Edinburgh Fringe festival, where it sold 11,000 tickets. This means that it was the most successful dance event to ever be performed at the Edinburgh festival. It’s therefore no wonder that the popular show returns for another run at Sadler’s Wells in 2009. It shows Bourne’s success in reinventing tales so that they receive new and updated popularity, with previous productions including Play Without Words (the team of which returns for this show). He is a critically acclaimed ballet and dance choreographer who has also brought new meaning to classics such as Swan Lake (Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake – 1995), The Nutcracker (2008), Edward Scissorhands (2005) and The Car Man (2000). His unique touch in these innovative shows have been met with both acclaim and controversy, with some feeling that replacing Swans with Men in Swan Lake was ill advised. However, they have stood the test of time and his version of this story is now regarded highly, with popularity being founded upon praise from the press.

He is not working alone, however. Expect to be delighted with this production as it reunites him with his Play Without Words team. It encompasses Terry Davies as composer, Lez Brotherston as designer and Paule Constable as lighting designer.

Matthew Bourne’s Dorian Gray is at Sadler’s Wells Theatre from Tuesday 7th July 2009 to Sunday 19th July 2009.