On 2/7/2013, Charles Dickens’ birthday, his most popular novel, GREAT EXPECTATIONS, finally had its West End Stage Premiere as the culmination of the bicentenary celebrations. For the first time in London’s theatre history, The Dickens Legacy Gala Performances was broadcast live from The Vaudeville Theatre across the world into a digital cinemas. This momentous occasion can now be witnessed in the comfort of your own home. Graham McLaren’s “outstanding,” “haunting,” “utterly brilliant,” “Gothic wonder” brings some of the most memorable characters ever created to life. The beautiful yet chilling Estella, the terrifying convict Magwitch, the manipulative Jaggers, the tragic and mysterious Miss Havisham and Pip looking back on his young self – a boy with great expectations.
Jo Clifford’s “stunning” adaptation was universally acclaimed on its UK tour prior to the West End debut – “its two one hour acts honor both playful demands of living theatre and the themes of the book.” – The Times
“Exquisite” –UK Theatre Network
Note: This is a filming of a live stage performance of Great Expectations adapted for the stage by Jo Clifford, who is one of Scotland’s leading playwrights. She has been working in the theatre for over thirty years; she is the author of approximately 80 plays; her work has been translated into several languages and produced throughout the world. GREAT EXPECTATIONS costumes by Annie Gosney and Graham McLaren. Giovanni Bedin, Head Couturier for House of Worth, has worked with Annie Gosney on the creation of Estella’s couture gowns for the show. Charles Frederick Worth, the world’s first official couturier, was a contemporary of Charles Dickens.
At the start of Great Expectations, Pip is aged seven, the year approximately 1814. (A reference to Pip at nearly twenty-one, in a street illuminated by gas-lamps which were not introduced until 1827, tells us that Pip’s was born in approximately 1807.) Pip is about 34 years old at the end of the story when he returns to England to see Joe, Biddy and their children, placing the date around 1841. Our narrator is telling his story in 1860. So by Willow and Thatch’s calculations, Great Expectations spans the [Regency, Georgian](http://www.willowandthatch.com/period-films-to-watch/period-dramas-georgian-regency-eras/) and [Victorian](http://www.willowandthatch.com/period-films-to-watch/period-dramas-victorian-era/) eras.