North West Theatre

David Copperfield

Charles Dickens, adapted by Deborah McAndrew
19 Nov 10 to 22 Jan 11
Octagon Theatre

Dickens's world will be brought to life in a production including original songs performed live by a cast of professional actors alongside a team of local young people.

Suitable for ages 5 and over.

[Deborah] McAndrew's adaptation... takes a typical literary adaptation route of using lots of short scenes linked by substantial narration... mixing of ideas that are interesting... but which do not sit comfortably together... Ruth Alexander Rubin... her characters... are fairly similar, they are all strongly and naturally played... Tobias Beer creates a nice contrast between the thoroughly unpleasant Murdstone and... Micawber... Jake Norton creates a genuinely believable and almost sympathetic character out of... Steerforth but turns Uriah Heap into a totally unbelievable caricature. Clara Darcy creates some nicely distinct characters... an actor-musician show, but the music is integrated very well... very close to being a full-scale, brand new musical...
British Theatre Guide
...a treat for all ages, packed full of the right seasonal ingredients... Deborah McAndrew’s new adaptation does full justice to the crowded narrative... Geoffrey Breton... gives a memorable performance in the title role... Ever-versatile Ruth Alexander Rubin does sterling work... Clara Darcy simpers suitably... Tobias Beer is convincingly menacing as Mr Murdstone... and resolutely optimistic as Mr Micawber...
The Stage
Deborah McAndrew's adaptation is not so much a children's show as a drama about lost childhood... Lucy Sierra's maritime design makes the metaphysical tide line manifest... McAndrew recasts it as a dialogue between the adult David (the highly personable Geoffrey Breton) and his younger self, played with great assurance by Jacob Aspinall... Tobias Beer is both the repressive Murdstone and the feckless Micawber, Simeon Truby plays the benign Peggotty and the sadistic Creakle, while Jake Norton... switching fluently between Steerforth and Uriah Heep... Conrad Nelson's nautically influenced score unwinds like a long, rambling sea shanty to bind the story together...
The Guardian (Rating: 4/5)
Deborah McAndrew’s adaptation of David Copperfield does not piece together as successfully... the focus on making the production family friendly is often taken too far... Bright blue bubble machines, for example, do not match the authenticity of the set and costumes... Geoffrey Breton as David Copperfield narrates the story with enthusiasm, whilst Ruth Alexander Rubin and Tobias Beer (As Mr and Mrs Micawber) provide many comic moments... Indisputably, the performance is fun... needs to ultimately be dealt with more tender loving care.
What's On Stage (Rating: 3/5)
Geoff Breton takes on this huge [title] role with boundless energy and enthusiasm, and remains charming and engaging throughout... Deborah McAndrew and composer Conrad Nelson have outdone themselves with their inventive lyrics and music... Designer Lucy Sierra has come up with costumes which are luscious and evocative... Director Elizabeth Newman does not always get her cast to differentiate strongly between their multiple characters, but the pace is always energetic...
UK Theatre Network
To adapt Charles Dickens’ sprawling 700 page novel... taken on by Deborah McAndrew and she succeeds exceptionally well... told in a coherent and exuberant manner... Geoffrey Breton whose energetic performance is full of warmth and vitality... Ruth Alexander Rubin who excels... six young performers who all appear confident and interact with the adults well. However, they must learn to project their voices more and speak more clearly... Lucy Sierra’s wide set design... is brilliantly thought out. Director Elizabeth Newman uses Sierra’s set to its utmost potential... The weakest element of the evening is the music by Conrad Nelson...
The Public Reviews (Rating: 3/5)
Lucy Sierra's striking design... While all the cast, adults and children, deliver cracking performances, Simeon Truby as Mr Peggotty sounds depths of emotion otherwise missing from a narrative-driven plot... director Elizabeth Newman demonstrates mastery well beyond her 24 years... her ability to suggest, through inspired staging, a tempest, shipwreck and drownings is simply astounding.
The Observer
...canned into 110 enchanting minutes. A slicker production you will have to go far to see replicated... Jacob Aspinall gave an unflustered and competent portrayal of young David Copperfield... [Geoffrey] Breton is the solid rock throughout, maintaining constant connection with the audience...
Lancashire Telegraph