Ahead of Oscar Wilde's birthday on 16 October, actor Kevin Kennedy is celebrating a remarkable 50 years in showbusiness by taking on one of the darkest roles of his career in The Picture of Dorian Gray: A New Musical, which comes to Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre on 12 February 2027.

Best known to millions as Norman "Curly" Watts in Coronation Street, Kevin began performing at the age of 14 and has since built an impressive career spanning television, theatre and music. Now, half a century after his first performance, he is stepping into the shadowy world of Oscar Wilde's most famous novel as the sinister Mr Isaacs.

The milestone role comes at a fitting time, with theatre lovers around the world preparing to celebrate Oscar Wilde's birthday on 16 October. It also offers a special local connection for Bournemouth audiences, as Wilde enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the town, visiting on several occasions during the late Victorian era.

Kevin said: "Ultimately, whatever the medium, I love telling stories. I think in the world we live in, we need that escapism. We need laughter, we need heroes and villains and perhaps more importantly than ever, we need the occasional happy ending."

Although celebrated for his television work, live theatre has always been at the heart of Kevin's career.

He adds: "That was always my main ambition. It's what I trained for and where I started my career. I found my way into television along the way, but I've now spent much of the last 20 years performing on stages around the world."

His extensive stage credits include Chicago, We Will Rock You and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Now, five decades after he first started performing, Kevin is taking on a brand-new musical adaptation of Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray. A faithful retelling of Wilde’s Gothic tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray: A New Musical follows a young man

whose extraordinary beauty, wealth and charm become his downfall after a single wish binds his fate to a mysterious portrait.

For Kevin, the opportunity to help create a brand-new musical was a major attraction.

"The fact that it is an entirely new production was part of the attraction and makes it equally exciting and slightly terrifying. Occasionally I like to do something that scares the pants off me."

Kevin plays Mr Isaacs, a deplorable businessman who runs an old theatre, with young actress Sibyl Vane as his protégée.

"Isaacs is a pretty deplorable human being with virtually no redeeming features whatsoever, which, of course, makes him absolutely delightful to play!"

Bournemouth has its own unique connection to the celebrated playwright and novelist.

Wilde visited the town several times during his life, staying at the Royal Bath Hotel and signing its famous visitors' book alongside Lord Alfred Douglas. He also visited actress Lillie Langtry at her Bournemouth home, now the Langtry Manor Hotel.

In 1883, Wilde travelled to Bournemouth to deliver a lecture at the Theatre Royal on Albert Road, returning the following week after arriving late for his first scheduled appearance. Historical records of his visits can still be found in Bournemouth's Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum.

Those local links make Bournemouth an especially fitting venue for a new musical adaptation of one of Wilde's most enduring works.

Speaking about the production, creator Mark Middlemiss said: "Having someone of Kevin's experience and standing involved in the production is incredibly exciting. He's a household name, but he's also a fantastic actor, and he brings real star quality to the role of Mr Isaacs."

For Kevin, there is an enduring appeal to Wilde’s gothic classic which was first published in 1890. He said: “At its heart, it’s a story about unchecked ego, vanity, celebrity and power and I’m not sure you could find themes much more relevant today. It’s a very dark story, and that’s part of what makes it so interesting.”

“There’s almost a Stephen King-meets-Oscar Wilde quality to it, with this wonderfully sinister atmosphere.”

Featuring an original score and a cast of 13, The Picture of Dorian Gray: A New Musical brings Victorian London vividly to life in a powerful sung-through theatrical experience.

The Picture of Dorian Gray: A New Musical comes to Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre Friday 12 February 2027. Tickets available from bournemouthpavilion.co.uk