description Dorian Gray (Matthew Bourne) Overview
Matthew Waks’s *Dorian Gray* presents a visually arresting and emotionally complex interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s novel, exploring themes of vanity, corruption, and the devastating consequences of pursuing eternal youth through a darkly beautiful, contemporary ballet setting.
help Dorian Gray (Matthew Bourne) FAQ
How does Matthew Bourne modernize Dorian Gray?
Bourne turns Dorian into a contemporary celebrity and fashion-world It Boy rather than a Victorian aristocrat. The portrait becomes a photographic image, making cameras, publicity, and manufactured beauty central to the adaptation.
Who composed the score for Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray?
Terry Davies composed the music for the production. He had previously collaborated with Bourne and designer Lez Brotherston on Play Without Words.
When did Matthew Bourne's Dorian Gray premiere?
The production premiered in 2008 and played at the Edinburgh International Festival before reaching Sadler's Wells. It won the Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production.
Is Dorian Gray based directly on Oscar Wilde's novel?
Yes, but Bourne relocates Wilde's themes of vanity, corruption, influence, and concealed decay to modern London. The result is a dance-theatre thriller rather than a period recreation of the 1890 novel.
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