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David Copperfield

Author: Julie Webb

Information

Date
15th August 2015
Society
Denys Edward Players
Venue
Crucible Theatre Studio, Sheffield
Type of Production
Drama
Director
Alan Mitchell
Choreographer
Kath Kenyon

Supported by Ian Mullins’ excellent script, the Players gave an outstanding performance of Dickens’ own favourite novel. Although longer than many plays the author’s admirers would approve of the content including all the important events in the story. With a few simple pieces of furniture, minimum props and very good use of the variety of entrances and exits available in the Studio, the Director kept the pace and the flow moving so that the numerous scenes ran seamlessly into each other.

With 32 named characters, 5 being children, and all being well dressed in appropriate costumes, I can only mention a few individually. However the important factor is that every one of the Players, no matter how small the part, fitted their character admirably and the diction was excellent.

One must begin with Jack Hallam playing David as a man, who was on stage for most of the play, narrating and linking the scenes when not taking part in the action, a seemingly effortless performance. Thomas Ferris was excellent as the boy David, showing great confidence in his role but still keeping the simplicity needed. Jan Ibberson as Clara and Jack Massey as Daniel Peggotty, with their regional accents, were endearing characters, while Sue McCormick as Betsy Trotwood was the strong thread running through the whole play. There are of course several extraordinary characters in this story and Michael Bullock as Wilkins Macawber and James Plura as Uriah Heep will long live in the memory.

Congratulations to everyone on stage or behind the scenes for a memorable evening. 

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