Charles Dickens: Adapted by Neil Bartlett: A Christmas Carol; Oliver Twist; Great Expectations

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Using only Charles Dickens extraordinary words and a chameleon ensemble of actors, Neil Bartlett's powerful stage versions of Dickens have gathered wide critical acclaim. This collection includes: Great Expectations: From its opening image of little Pip, alone on the windswept marshes, to the haunted darkness of mad Miss Haversham's cobweb-strewn lair, this adaptation takes its audience on a journey right to the heart of Dickens great exploration of childhood terrors and hopes and of adult dreams and regrets. This version was recently directed by Bartlett himself to great acclaim at the Bristol Old Vic. A Christmas Carol: Dickens's story of solitary miser Ebenezer Scrooge, who is taught the true meaning of Christmas by a series of ghostly visitors, has proved one of his most well-loved works, and has profoundly influenced our attitude towards the season. Oliver Twist: Bartletts powerful version of Oliver Twist brings the dark underbelly of nineteenth-century London back to bold theatrical life. The unforgettable characters inhabit a world filled with images of danger and fear, innocence and hope; a world seen through the eyes of an astonished child. Between them, these adaptations have had over a hundred productions. They have been widely performed by schools, universities and community theatre groups throughout the English-speaking world and theatres that have produced them include Londons Lyric Hammersmith, the Bristol Old Vic, the Southwark Playhouse, the Glasgow Citizens, the American Repertory Theatre in Boston and the La Jolla Playhouse (USA).

Reviews

Mr. Bartlett is a deft hand at reinventing classic literature for live performances... "Oliver Twist," admittedly familiar fare, remains a fine story for all ages. Anybody who has ever been bullied, misunderstood or otherwise treated shabbily can appreciate the emotions expressed so well by Dickens and in this production... Mr. Bartlett again displays his proficiency with page-to-stage transformations. * New York Times *
Great Expectations: 'A fabulous evening in the company of two great storytellers - Dickens and Bartlett. I walked home with the damp air of the marshes in my nostrils and the clanking of the convict's chains ringing in my ears' 5 stars from the Independent 'a sinewy and compelling interpretation' * The Stage *
This production is [Bartlett's] finest take on Dickens - It is storytelling theatre at its best: vivid, fluid and flinty. * Guardian *
Bartlett has definitely done Dickens proud, creating a wonderful adaptation of a classic. * A Younger Theatre A Christmas Carol---- *
Gets right to the frozen heart of Dickens' classic Christmas tale...one of those rare festive offerings for which no adult will need the excuse of a child in tow * Guardian Oliver Twist----- *
Tiny points and tweaks of the text flash new understanding * The Times *
I really can't recommend this show too highly. A great novel has been transformed into truly stunning theatre. * Telegraph *

Author Bio

Director Neil Bartletts translations include plays by Molire, Racine, Marivaux, Labiche and von Kleist. Adaptations include A Christmas Carol, Oliver Twist, Great Expectations and Camille. Oberon Books also publishes Solo Voices and Queer Voices, two collections of his monologues, and his plays In Extremis and Or You Could Kiss Me, both of which were first staged at the National Theatre.