Celebrating the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens

Celebration of the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Dickens with readings illustrating his life and works by members of Wokingham Theatre. Wokingham Library, Thursday 23 February 2012 at 8pm. Tickets £3. Call (0118) 9781368 to book.

White Rabbit invites you in, away from the swirling London fog and the clutches of Jack Frost’s icy fingers. Cosy down and settle in for a night of captivating story telling inspired by Charles Dickens. With the accompaniment of beautiful visuals and vintage live music, White Rabbit brings to life original short stories and create a magical ambience that will warm your soul during a freezing February. In celebration of the great author's bicentenary, the tales are influenced by the dark, dank mystery of 19th Century London. And the entertainment doesn’t stop there, with competitions, prizes and even authentic Victorian parlour games for all those willing to indulge in some good old fashioned revelry. Join us for a cosy evening of cracking stories, charming cakes and comfy chairs. 8pm start. Tickets £12.95/£10.95

Following on from last year's record-breaking box office hit, 'A Christmas Carol - As told by Jacob Marley (deceased)', multi award-winning actor/writer and London Theatre Award Nominee, James Hyland (recent recipient of Best Performer in Theatre 2012 – Fringe Report Awards), returns with 'Fagin’s Last Hour'. Told from the point of view of Fagin the Miser, one hour before his execution, this unique one-man show offers a fresh insight into literature’s most controversial villain. Hailed upon its premiere as "very impressive... hugely engaging" (Remotegoat), 'Fagin's Last Hour' not only conveys the horror of Charles Dickens's original novel but likewise "succeeds in presenting Fagin as a complex human being" (The Dickensian).

The eminent actor, writer and director offers a fresh perspective on Dickens, uncovering not only a literary great but a true showman who adored the stage and became an early ‘celebrity’ author with his many theatrical reading tours. Incorporating special performances of the novelist’s work, Simon Callow will bring to life the spirit of Dickens’s dazzling genius.

8-9.30pm
Book in advance £6 (concs £5)
 

Branch County Community Theatre's 2012 Pickering Award for Playwriting Excellence, What Would Dickens Do? by MW Estes. A young author, upon his demise, is transported to purgatory and placed in the "writers block" with Truman Capote, Samuel Clemons, William Faulkner, and Charles Dickens. Each in turn offers their conclusion to Drood with much interplay and comic comments to prepare Dickens for his final judgement in front of the panel of Saints Peter, Paul and Mary. The meaning of Drood is resolved and life (death) goes on.

Concert performance / staged reading of the new musical based on 'The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby' by Charles Dickens. Music, lyrics and libretto by Tim Brewster. Featuring most of the cast from the pre-production recording, supported by friends from Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and beyond. Tickets and information from info@nicholasnicklebymusic​al.com. All proceeds to Macmillan Cancer Support.

Space Productions celebrates 200 years since the birth of Charles Dickens by staging one of his most loved stories,. Following the death of his father, Nicholas, his sister and mother, must depend on his uncle, Ralph Nickleby for support and guidance. For Ralph, the descent of his poor relations, interrupting his relentless pursuit of money, is an unwanted distraction. The pride and honour in Nicholas set against the pragmatism and impatience of Ralph sets a spiral of events in motion, reaching from Dotheboys Hall in Yorkshire to the Crummles theatrical troupe in Portsmouth. Drama, comedy and romance combine in this epic adventure, performed over two parts with an exciting ensemble cast.

Gerald Dickens is a great, great grandson of Charles Dickens. He has worked as an actor, director and producer for many years. In 1993 he created his first one-man show, a theatrical performance of 'A Christmas Carol' inspired by Dickens's own energetic readings of the 1860s. A fascination with the life and works of his subject led him to write and direct further one-man shows including 'Mr Dickens is Coming!', 'Nicholas Nickleby' and 'Sketches by Boz'. He regularly performs in major theatres and arts centres. 

Faculty artist Linda Mabbs is joined by several of her colleagues in this tribute to the music of Dominick Argento, in celebration of his 85th birthday. From the lively Six Elizabethan Songs to the piano four-hand settings of the Valentino Dances, this concert is the first of various programs that will be presented throughout the month of April as the School of Music explores the many facets of this remarkable American composer. The Art of Argento: A Retrospective of Composer Dominick Argento's Works will culminate in fully staged productions of Argento's Postcard from Morocco and Miss Havisham's Fire by the Maryland Opera Studio, April 20-29. Proceeds from Music in Mind concerts benefit the UMD School of Music's undergraduate scholarship fund.

Aria Entertainment in association with The Landor Theatre present 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood'. A musical by Rupert Holmes, 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood' is the fifteenth novel by Charles Dickens. During October of 1869, at Gad's Hill Place, Dickens began work on the novel and in April of 1870 publication of Drood commenced. On June the eighth Dickens spent the day working on the novel and after a long and exhausting day he retired to seek some well deserved rest. That evening during dinner he collapsed. June the ninth, 1870 only halfway through 'The Mystery of Edwin Drood', Dickens died. And now members of the Theatre Royale Music Hall Company pick up where the unfortunate writer left off. Set against a back drop of the Great British traditions of music hall and pantomime they will attempt to complete the story of Edwin Drood for the delectation of you, the audience! Box office: 020 7737 7276. £18/£15 (concs).