With rotating cast of star comedians taking the lead

The stage version of  Radio 4’s Dickensian spoof Bleak Expectations is heading for the West End.

The ‘story that Charles Dickens might have written after drinking too much gin’ will open in previews at the Criterion Theatre from May 4 and run until September 3.

And each week a different star will take the lead as Sir Philip (‘Pip’) Bin – including Tom Allen, who played the role on radio.

Others so far confirmed so far to make an appearance are: Adjoa Andoh, Alexander Armstrong, Jo Brand, Jack Dee, Stephen Fry, Nish Kumar, Lee Mack, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miller and Sue Perkins. 

Brand said: ‘Bleak Expectations is the motto by which I have always lived my life, so delighted I can continue to live the dream,’ while Kumar said: ‘I am as excited to do whatever this is as any human being has ever been about doing anything in the entire human species.’

Fry added: ‘I’m so excited about this coming gig that I simply can’t keep any solid food down. Sounds a bit grim, but I only throw up for really prestige projects.  I heaved slightly before my last appearance on the Graham Norton Show, and pacing nervously backstage at the Platinum Jubilee Party at the Palace last year I regurgitated as much as a full serving of Rice Krispies. But this Bleak Expectations guest slot already has me spewing colossal arcs of sick every morning. A really good sign.’

A full schedule of who’s on when will be released later. 

The original radio show ran for 30 episodes between August 2007 and 2012, following young Pip’s exploits with sisters Pippa and Poppy plus best friend Harry Biscuit as they attempted to escape the calculating clutches of the dastardly Mr Gently Benevolent, and defeat the hideous Hardthrasher siblings.

The Radio 4 cast – pictured above – also included Anthony Head, James Bachman, Susy Kane, Sarah Hadland, Richard Johnson  and Geoffrey Whitehead.

The West End show, written by original creator Mark Evans, follows a run at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Berkshire, last summer.

Tickets are on sale now, priced from £15, here.

Published: 15 Feb 2023