New theatre version of Radio 4's Dickensian spoof

Radio 4 Dickensian spoof Bleak Expectations has been adapted for the stage

The ‘story that Charles Dickens might have written after drinking too much gin’ will open at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Berkshire, in May, written by the sitcom's creator, Mark Evans.

Cast has yet to be announced, but on radio it was an early starring role for Tom Allen as the young Philip 'Pip' Bin, inventor of the bin.

It ran for 30 episodes between August 2007 and 2012, ending with a Christmas special, with an ensemble also included Anthony Head, James Bachman, Susy Kane, Sarah Hadland, Richard Johnson  and Geoffrey Whitehead.

Bleak Expectations starts in Newbury on May 27 and runs to July 2. Tickets will be on sale from next Wednesday from the venue's website.

Earlier this year, the Watermill hosted the world premiere of Spike, Ian Hislop and Nick Newman’s play about the Goon show mastermind. Our review

Published: 29 Mar 2022