GREAT EXPECTATIONS
This brand new musical based on Charles Dickens’ classic brings to life the compelling story, as played by a troupe of Victorian touring actors.
The story is told in a series of scenes accompanied by the great original songs by Laurie Hornsby.
The 7 versatile actors play all the parts with the use of shawls, hats, authentic props etc, and assume their characters in full view of the audience.
Because of its design, this production can be presented in any reasonably sized indoor space. It has no need of a stage, as the actors set their own ‘suggestion ’of a stage prior to the audience being admitted, and complete the transformation in the first 32 bars of music preceeding the Opening Chorus!
The story is told with clarity and pace, and the action zips along until the triumphant finale ‘Tear Down The Curtains.’
Running time: Act 1 - 50 minutes | Act 2 - 40 minutes
This production is ideal as a Dinner/Theatre event.
Depending on the venue and its available in-house facilities, we would expect to request a 'Get In/ Fit Up' period of approximately 4 hours, as we always strive to dress our playing area to enhance the quality experience for the audience in terms of sound and lighting and with scenery appropriate to the style, period and design of each production.
Review
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Review by Gregory Holyoake
What Larks! Charles Dickens' episodic tale 'Great Expectations' has been transformed into a joyous musical production by Gordon Clarkson.
First performed in the author's seaside town,Broadstairs by a talented company of 7 performers who sing, dance, and act to perfection, bringing alive a host of memorable characters from the enduring Victorian novel.
Imaginative staging with clever minimalistic scenery and vibrant costumes by Joy Clarkson and Ronny Young, gives a grand scale to the production. Short, snappy scenes range from the bleak north Kent marshes to the bustling streets of London.
Clarkson's joyous production whips through the engaging story of Pip, a clumsy blacksmith's boy, who aspires to become a gentleman and secure the affection of Estella, ward of the vindictive, Miss Havisham.
The eccentric recluse inhabits a rambling mansion still dressed in the crumbling wedding attire she wore on the day she was jilted at the altar.A most effective first scene reveals her courtship of a bounder, thus explaining her intense bitterness and avowed intention to break all men's hearts.
The songs by Laurie Hornsby have catchy tunes and audacious rhymes that vary from the witty chorus,'A Crusty Pie', to the heroine's haunting melody ,'My Heart Is Cold As Ice'. Hornsby is also responsible for the book.
There are robust characterisations from Frank Tucker as Magwitch and Pumplechook, and a fine performance from Joseph Wyatt as the lovelorn Pip.
The melodrama reaches it's conclusion when Pip's true benefactor reveals himself one dark. foggy night and, in Dickensian style turns his grand new lifestyle upon it's head.
Gordon, himself,as actor/ manager narrates the tale and plays the furtive lawyer, Jaggers performs the penultimate song, with his meritorious solo 'The Richest Man'.
Dickens' intricate story is delivered at a cracking pace and deserves to be seen by a wide audience.
Gregory Holyoake