All-star cast for The Picture of Dorian Gray at Bolton Octagon

Russell Tovey, Stephen Fry and Joanna Lumley head an all-star cast for a digital production of The Picture of Dorian Gray at Bolton Octagon.

They’ve joined forces with Barn Theatre in Cirencester, the Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield and the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich will co-produce The Picture of Dorian Gray with Theatr Clwyd in Mold and the Oxford Playhouse in Oxfordshire to offer the production as co-producers.       

Fionn Whitehead is in the title role, are Alfred Enoch as Harry Wooton, Lumley as Lady Narborough, Emma McDonald as Sibyl Vane and Tovey as Basil Hallward with Fry as the Interviewer.         

From the creative team behind the critically acclaimed What a Carve Up!, the beloved Faustian tale by Oscar Wilde is brought kicking and screaming into a world of Instagram, Facebook and dating apps. Set in a profile pic-obsessed, filter-fixated world, the contemporary take follows influencer Dorian Gray as he makes a deal for his social star never to fade.       

The Picture of Dorian Gray utilises elements found in radio plays, films, documentaries as well as traditional theatrical techniques.                        

 “We’re delighted that the Octagon is one of several partner venues presenting this new digital production for our audiences,” says the Octagon’s Artistic Director Lotte Wakeham.

“I can’t wait to see this modern, dark and provocative re-telling of Oscar Wilde’s novel brought to life online by this stellar cast of actors, which includes relative newcomers such as Emma McDonald alongside household names including Joanna Lumley and Stephen Fry. I think the production will be perfect for audience members who enjoy TV shows such as Black Mirror or Sex Education, and who want to experience a very ‘21st century’ twist to this classic story, from the comfort of their own homes.”

The Picture of Dorian Gray will run for two weeks from 16^th – 31^st March and tickets are on-sale now and can be purchased at https://www.pictureofdoriangray.com/bolton

Audience members receive a screening link which will activate on their booked performance date for a 48-hour period. Tickets are priced at £12 which will include both a link to the production as well as a digital programme. Closed captioning will be available for all dates during the run, with audio description available from 23^rd – 31^st March.

Age guidance: 16+

Content warning: The Picture of Dorian Gray includes extremely strong language and contains scenes of self-harm, suicide, death and mental illness which some viewers may find upsetting.