U.K. choreographer takes on Dorian Gray

What could possibly be added to Oscar Wilde's classic tale of vice and vanity? Grand leaps and turns. Not of plot (the dark fable is rich enough as is), but of the human body. This has become the undertaking of heralded British modern dance choreographer Matthew Bourne, who has morphed Wilde's The Picture of Dorian Gray into a highly anticipated dance theater production that will debut this August.

Bourne has gained recognition for his take on the classical ballet Swan Lake as well as his transformation of Tim Burton's Edward Scissorhands, among other popular works. Dorian Gray will mark his first new production in three years.

In his adaptation, Bourne will bring Wilde's story to the 21st century within the high-brow, image-conscious arena of the London art scene. In lieu of the painted portrait of Gray from Wilde's version, Bourne's Gray plays a male model who has his photo captured in a high fashion shoot.

"I'm trying to find modern parallels. The obsession with youth and wanting to look young has never been a bigger issue," Bourne told the U.K.'s Sunday Times. "And I'm interested in what happens to people when the camera is turned on them. People you wouldn't look at suddenly become fascinating."

Bourne has also toyed with the way sexuality and gender roles will be represented in Dorian Gray. He told the Guardian that he found both gay undertones and misogyny within Wilde's text, and has taken liberties with the characters in his production. For instance, Lord Henry's character is conveyed as a female top magazine editor and Gray himself is homosexual.

Dorian Gray will premier at the King's Theater in Edinburgh, England as part of Edinburgh International Festival '08 from August 22-30.