The Picture Of John Gray

In the summer of 1889, Oscar Wilde began a love affair with a young man whose beauty seemed to defy Time itself. Months later, he would use this man’s surname for his most infamous creation.

Immortalised in The Picture of Dorian Gray but soon ditched by its author, John Gray is left to grow up and become his own man... whoever that may be.

But meanwhile Oscar is playing out his own downfall on the most public of stages. He is imprisoned for acts of 'Gross Indecency' with other men, and the community of poets and artists he had mixed with is fractured as a hunt for Sodomites sweeps London. As around him the most resilient of relationships are pushed near breaking-point, John must choose sanctuary in the purity of faith or the dangerous arms of a man who offers him love.

'We all hide - the only choice is where.'

Based on a true story, C.J. Wilmann's challenging new play is an unconventional love story about secrecy, denial and compromise.