Bourne earned his reputation with a very untraditional and controversial approach to ballet. In the 1990s, Russian ballet aficionados from every circle advised theater producers not to bring Bourne’s performances to Russia. Meanwhile, illegal TV broadcasts were actively pushing them on air to the Russian public.

Awarded an OBE, as well as a Tony award and five Laurence Olivier awards, Matthew Bourne has racked up dozens of other international awards. His provocative ballet was recognized by theatrical bosses. He managed to do the impossible: even those who essentially hate ballet love Matthew Bourne’s productions.

This time the maestro brings his “Dorian Gray” one year after the European premieres. It is a true sensation, considering that Bourne’s scandalous “Swan Lake”, which featured men-swans and homoerotic scenes, took twelve years to travel to Russia.

In Bourne’s adaptation, not a trace of 19th century England remains in the performance of Wilde’s character Dorian Gray. The action of this absolutely ruthless and malicious performance about the supernatural fear of aging takes place in the present. Dorian is still a scoundrel; however, and he’s easier in manners and more terrible in acts. He’s typical of a public celebrity of the present, a star and an idol who has the deluded idea that Hell is for others, and thinks that he can do anything he wants without any punishment.

Matthew Bourne’s “Dorian Gray” can be seen in Moscow’s Mossovet theatre starting from July 28 until August 2 during the Chekhov festival.