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Oliver Twist
or The Parish Boy's Progress by Charles Dickens
Adapted for the stage by Reg Mitchell
The well-loved tale of the workhouse boy who asked for more! Apprenticed to an Undertaker, he runs
away to London where he is taken in by Fagin's gang of thieves. Rescued from a cruel magistrate
by a kindly gentleman, he is kidnapped by Nancy, one of Fagin's gang. Learning of a plot by the mysterious Monks
to disinherit Oliver, Nancy tells the kindly gentleman, but is overheard doing so by another of the gang. In revenge
for her betrayal, she is murdered by the robber, Bill Sikes.
Meantime, the beadle, Mr Bumble marries the widow Corney - and regrets it.
Multiple settings. Flexible cast of adults and children. There are 28 speaking parts - suggest 9m, 8f, 6c. Approx
2 hrs playing time.
A Christmas Carol
the famous ghost story by Charles Dickens
Adapted for the stage by Reg Mitchell
It is Christmas Eve. The grasping, miserly Ebenezer Scrooge is visited by the spirit
of his former partner, Jacob Marley, who warns Scrooge that he is to be haunted by three Spirits - Christmas Past, Christmas
Present and Christmas Yet To Come. Each spirit escorts Scrooge through scenes of his youth and the life of his clerk, Bob
Cratchit, whose family includes the crippled Tiny Tim. The shape of things to come are brought to him if he doesn’t
change his ways. Having seen how others face adversity with courage and forbearance, Scrooge determines to change his ways
from skinflint to generous benefactor - starting with the Cratchit family.
Multiple setting. Flexible mixed cast of adults and children. Playing time approx 90 minutes.
Musical version also available.
Great Expectations
Written in an episodic narrative style, this action-packed, fast-moving adaptation of Great Expectations, Charles Dickens
great adventure story - set against the background of the rivers Medway and Thames - tells of the good fortune bestowed on
the young orphan, Phillip Pirrip - better known as Pip - by a mysterious benefactor, and of his undying devotion to the haughty
young Estella, who was adopted by the recluse, Miss Havisham and brought up by her to wreak vengeance on the male race. We
meet the London lawyer, Jaggers and his clerk, Wemmick; the criminal Magwich, his enemy Compeyson; the pompous Uncle Pumblechook,
simple Joe Gargery, his shrewish wife Mrs Joe, and the lovable orphan Biddy. Pips good friend, Herbert Pocket and his grasping
relations - and a whole galaxy of other characters - fill the story.
The play opens on one Christmas Eve afternoon, when seven-year-old Pip, tending his mothers grave,
is surprised by the convict Magwich. After giving help to the escaped convict, the story follows the fortunes of the young
man, from rags to riches - the climax of the fight on the river - and back to rags twenty years later. Pips unswerving affection
for the beautiful Estella results in much unhappiness for them both. Older and wiser, they finally meet up again in the grounds
of the old house where Pip used to visit her and her adopted mother, Miss Havisham. Can there be hope for them at last?
First performed at the Waterside Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, on 28th November 1995. Sold out
before the first night! One of the best adaptations I have seen. (Stratford Herald) A very competent and skilful adaptation
... which handles the complex plot with ease, the action always fluid and fast. (Samuel French)
Casting Minimum 8M 5F 4C playing 53 characters. Performing time: Two and
a quarter hours plus interval.
Hedda Gabler
by Henrik
Ibsen.
A new English
version by Reg Mitchell
Hedda and George return from their extended honeymoon trip abroad. The marriage was
unexpected; the 33 year old, bumbling, bookish lecturer in medieval history seems a strange choice for the 29 year old sophisticated,
beautiful daughter of the famous General Gabler. George has bought a grand villa with loans arranged for them by their bachelor
friend, Judge Brack - an admirer of Hedda - on the expectation of George being appointed to the Chair of Medieval History
and its professorship, together with royalties on a book he is planning to write. Heddas future looks bright and secure. A brilliant scholar and old rival of George turns up with the intention of bidding for the professorship
against George. Eilert, a headstrong reformed decadent, is an old admirer of Heddas. He also has written a potential best
seller to challenge Georges book. Heddas future looks much less secure. But when she manipulates affairs to her own advantage,
Judge Brack learns the truth and confronts Hedda with the knowledge. How can she escape his clutches?
Casting: 3m, 4f. Performing time: Approx. 2 hours plus
interval. ISBN : 1-904232-06-X
Yorkshire Mystery Plays.
adapted by Reg Mitchell
Full length or five one act:
Five mysteries from the Wakefield Cycle adapted for twenty-minute
slots. Originally performed by four groups of players, at different outdoor sites throughout the city. Also performed in its
entirety with a folk band, and a herald on horse-back to read the banns. The five plays included are:
The Creation - a drama 4M 4F. Adam and Eve fall from grace.
Noah - a comedy
4M 4F The story of the flood and the building of the arc.
The Second Shepherds Play - a comedy 5M
3F. Mak the sheep-stealer is foiled and the shepherds find the baby Jesus.
The Resurrection - a drama 8M 4F The soldiers guarding the tomb find it empty.
The Judgement - a drama 5M 5F Mankind accounts for its sins. plus angels and devils.
Commissioned by the Sheffield Festival Director in 1992 and
performed at the Crucible Theatre foyer, the city centre and the Abbeydale Industrial Museum. The highlight of the festival (Sheffield Star.)
These adaptations may be performed singly as a one act
play or in total as a full-length play. However, they are published together in one volume.
Casting as full length play with doubling : 8M 8F. Performing time : 2½ hours
with interval. ISBN : 1-904232-05-1 .
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