E X T E N S I O N DORIAN GRAY REVISITED The theme of the soul sold to the devil in order to have something (knowledge, youth, beauty etc.) in exchange has always attracted and inspired numerous artists. Book artists, playwrights1, painters and filmmakers have found Wilde s novel unforgettable2. The first illustrated edition of The Picture of Dorian Gray was published by C. Carrington in 1910: it contains 7 full-page wood engravings3 by Eugène Deté. The first theatrical performance, a play in three acts, was produced by M. Lou-Tellegen at the Vaudeville Theatre, London, on August 23, 1913. Among the numerous theatrical versions there is the adaptation of Philip Prowse in 1993 at the Glasgow Citizens starring Rupert Everett in the part of Lord Henry Wotton. Then we can mention the surreal and sometimes sensual play by Trevor Baxter at the Theatre Royal, Windsor in July 2001 and later in August 2003 before a National Tour. In addition to book artists and playwrights, painters drew upon Wilde s novel: Michael Ayrton (1921-75) painter, sculptor, author, illustrator and theatre designer, sketched4 several versions of the aging5 portrait. And Ivan Albright painted the portrait in the MGM film adaption of 1945. Finally The Picture of Dorian Gray has had a lot of screen versions. In 1915 Vsevolod Emilievich Meyerhold (1874-1942), the great theatrical theorist and director, made The Picture of Dorian Gray. This film, which was memorable for its avantgarde techniques and brilliant use of lighting6 and décor7, is lost. The first British screen version of the libertine8 who remains young while MGM film (1945). 1. playwright: someone who writes plays. 2. unforgettable: memorable. 3. engravings: pictures that are printed using a piece of metal. 4. sketch: a drawing that is made quickly. 5. age: become older. 6. lighting: the equipment that produces light. 7. décor: the way that the inside of a place is decorated. 8. libertine: someone who lives an immoral life. 107