GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Clements, from Dickens, Derby Playhouse, till 2 March

Derby

GREAT EXPECTATIONS: Mark Clements, adapted from Charles Dickens
Playhouse: Tkts 01332 363275
Runs: 3h 5m, one interval, till 2 March 2002
Review: Rod Dungate, 16 February 2002

No messing, host of excellent performances, elegant, flexible set ensure an engrossing performanceMark Clements's version of this well-known Dickens tale is a clear, no messing, telling of the story. This, a host of excellent performances and an elegant, flexible set all combine to ensures an engrossing performance.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS is the story of young Pip, who, growing up a blacksmith by trade is unexpectedly thrust into money and good society. He is so busy then being sophisticated that he forgets all his friends, but sees his great expectations come to nothing. Having risen, been proud and come a cropper, he learns the error of his ways and comes good in the end.

It's a massive tale. I have reservations about the first half of Clements's adaptation. The drama is weighed down by too many long passages of descriptive narrative spoken directly by Pip to the audience. The effect is of a story being told accompanied by acted out illustrative sections.

However, in the second half the imbalance is corrected, the drama works, concerns about the first half are forgotten and you are happily taken on this fabulous journey with highly moving stopping-off points.

Pascal Langdale is a terrific Pip. He exudes natural charm and good looks and has as immediate and easy a rapport with the audience as he does with the other characters. Pip is, in the middle of the play, a bit of a prig (to put it mildly). As he rejects old friends and benefactors alike we are truly shocked. Great casting and a great performance.

Pip's best mate is Herbert Pocket. Pocket wants to be a capitalist but isn't too good at it. Ian Merrill Peakes imbues the character with a charming honesty and naiveté: it is clear why Pocket won't succeed in capitalism, but he's no fool. The two young men create a tangible mutual warmth and affection

Among other performances well worth seeing are Michael Kirk's assertively subservient solicitor's clerk, Wemmick, Alun Raglan's ever so gentle blacksmith, Joe Gargery, and Robert Machray's ponderous, pompous and delightfully preposterous Jaggers. Elizabeth Shepherd keeps dotty Miss Havisham well under control and is most moving towards the end.

Director Clements has cast a sure hand over the proceedings (please get out the scissors in the first half) and Niki Turner's atmospheric sets enable the epic tale to be told without holding up the story. And Wemmick's fortified home just has to be seen – it's a priceless gem.

Cast:

Pip: Pascal Langdale
Young Pip: Ryan Drummond/ Kristopher King
Magwitch: Michael Rudko
Joe Gargery: Alun Raglan
Mrs Joe/ Biddy: Gaynor Barrett
Compeyson/ Orlick/ Bentley Drummle: Hywel Morgan
Uncle Pumblechook/ Aged P/ Officer: Robert Ousley
Mr Wopsle/ Wemmick: Michael Kirk
Sergeant/ Raymond/ Waiter/ Messenger/ Debt Collector: Ben Oldfield
Young Estella: Katy Jones, Jessica Nicklin
Miss Havisham: Elizabeth Shepherd
Jaggers: Robert Machray
Sarah Pocket/ Molly/ Estella: Claire Lautier
Camilla/ Herbert pocket: Ian Merrill Peakes
Young Herbert Pocket: George McKirdy/ Tom Elston
Supernumeries: Ron Frost, Grahame Marriot, David Thompson, Jason Reynolds

Director: Mark Clements
Design: Miki Turner
Lighting: Chris Ellis
Sound: Nick Greenhill
Original Music: Warren Wills

Production sponsored by british midland and The Eagle Centre Derby

2002-02-17 20:43:06