Oscar Wilde's grandson adapts The Picture of Dorian Gray

A new adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray is to open at the Trafalgar Studios in January with Wildes's grandson Merlin Holland adapting the original manuscript.

John O'Connor of Euopean Arts Company will also work with Holland to adapt Oscar Wilde’s only novel as 2016 marks the 125th anniversary of his death.

Originally published in 1890, the novel was highly controversial due to its explicit homoerotic themes. After being described as "a poisonous book" by British critics, Wilde edited the manuscript to make it less shocking.

Holland and O’Connor have now reverted to the original manuscript, reinstating some of the key
lines that were censored.

Holland commented: "In adapting my grandfather’s only novel for the stage, John O’Connor and I have reintroduced a few of those suppressions…in order to reflect Oscar’s original intentions.

"Despite assuring Oscar Wilde’s posthumous reputation throughout the world, it is a sobering thought that The Picture of Dorian Gray should have contributed, even marginally, to putting my grandfather behind bars 120 years ago."

Set in the decadent world of Victorian London, Dorian Gray is about a man who preserves his youthful looks thanks to a hidden portrait.

The cast will include Guy Warren-Thomas, Rupert Mason, and Helen Keeley.

The production is directed by Peter Craze.

The Picture of Dorian Gray will run at the Trafalgar Studios from 18 January to 13 February 2016.