The Picture of Dorian Gray Tickets

Succession scored a massive cultural hit, one of the year’s stand-out TV series, described by many as a work of genius. Now ‘Shiv’ from HBO’s Succession, the remarkable actor Sarah Snook, is heading for the West End for 2024 to star in Oscar Wilde’s classic horror story, The Picture of Dorian Gray, a brand new version that’s been delighting audiences Down Under. Your venue is the Theatre Royal Haymarket and the show runs from 23rd January. Prepare for a witty and vibrant contemporary version of Wilde’s fantasy that some are already calling the theatrical event of the year.

This is a brilliant re-working of Wilde’s astonishing story, adapted and directed by Sydney Theatre Company’s Artistic Director Kip Williams. The acting is enhanced by revolutionary video, adding spice to an already-dazzling plot, and the impact is ‘extraordinary’. But the most extraordinary thing of all? Snook plays all 26 roles herself, delivering a tour-de-force of a one-handed play.

As she said, “I am elated to return to the London stage in such an astonishing piece of theatre. From Oscar Wilde’s remarkable original text to Kip Williams’ stunning adaptation, this story of morality, innocence, narcissism, and consequence is going to be thrilling to recreate for a new audience. I can’t wait.”

Sarah Snook previously aced acclaimed roles on screen in The Dressmaker, and Pieces of a Woman, and on stage with The Master Builder at The Old Vic. The West End season is produced by Michael Cassel, Adam Kenwright, Len Blavatnik and Danny Cohen, Daryl Roth, Amanda Lipitz and Henry Tisch, and Jonathan Church.

What's the plot of The Picture of Dorian Gray?

The Picture of Dorian Gray is the Irish writer Oscar Wilde’s only novel. At the time it was published, in April 1891, it proved too controversial and attracted much criticism. Now it’s regarded as a classic Gothic Novel, one everyone has heard of even though they might not have read it. And that’s a sign of an irresistible story told beautifully.

The plot stars a spooky portrait of Dorian Gray painted by his friend Basil Hallward, who was obsessed with Gray’s beauty. Dorian meets Lord Henry Wotton, a friend of the artist, and becomes caught up in the aristocrat's hedonistic world. In his opinion beauty and sensual fulfilment are the only things worth having; the rest of life is worthless.

Realising for the first time that his beauty will fade, Dorian decides to sell his soul rather than end up old and ugly. The deal dictates the portrait will grow older as Dorian remains forever youthful. His wish is granted, and Dorian sets off on a libertine life of indulgence and amoral fun. But the sinister painting up in the attic is steadily clocking up Dorian’s sins.