THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY Comes to Darlington

Tilted Wig Productions present an exciting and bold new production of Oscar Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray. Co-produced with Malvern Theatres and Churchill Theatre, Bromley, it will be showing in Darlington between 26 and 30 March as part of its national spring tour.

Jonathan Wrather, known for his roles on both stage and screen, will be joining the cast, taking the part of Lord Henry Wotton. Jonathan is best known to audiences recently for playing the controversial Pierce Harris in ITV's Emmerdale for two years. Other notable TV credits include Joe Carter in Coronation Street, Silent Witness and Casualty. He also has extensive stage and film credits. The cast also includes Daniel Goode (Basil Hallward) and Kate Dobson (Sybil Vane) with further casting to be announced.

The play, based on the classic novel, celebrates Wilde's wonderful language and will appeal to audiences old and new. It is adapted and directed by Séan Aydon, designed by Sarah Beaton with lighting by Matt Haskins. Featuring Wilde's famous wit and a stellar cast, The Picture of Dorian Gray is a fast-paced thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat right up until the final scenes of the play - providing a really entertaining night out for all.

In a society obsessed with youth and beauty, Dorian is given the chance to keep his looks forever. But at what cost...? The Picture of Dorian Gray is the story of a cultured, wealthy, and beautiful young man's downfall through moral corruption and seduction. Dorian, who, fearing that his good looks would fade as he grows old, wishes that a portrait painted of him could bear the burden of the ageing process, leaving him forever young and resulting in disastrous consequences!

Katherine Senior of Tilted Wig Productions says: 'The Picture of Dorian Gray will be the 21st show that Matthew and I have taken out on the road. We produced 19 shows for Creative Cow over its 10 years in existence and now, under the banner of Tilted Wig Productions, The Picture of Dorian Gray will be our second production, following on from the success of Great Expectations last year. We hope audiences will enjoy our classic re -telling of this famous novel as it still has such resonance with our modern day lives and with its utter timelessness should feel bang up to date.'

The Picture of Dorian Gray runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday 26 to Saturday 30 March.

For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk