Producers have released a series of first-look images from the rehearsal room ahead of the West End transfer of Mark Evan’s Dickens mash up Bleak Expectations which opens at The Criterion Theatre on Wednesday 3 May 2023.
Bleak Expectations follows young Pip’s extraordinary exploits with sisters Pippa and Poppy plus best friend Harry Biscuit as they attempt to escape the calculating clutches of the dastardly Mr Gently Benevolent, defeat the hideous Hardthrasher siblings, and deflect disaster at every turn!
Will evil be vanquished by virtue? Can love triumph over hate? Escape with this joyfully anarchic comedy featuring barbarous boarding schools, contemptible conspiracies, roaring romances, devilish disguises, and definitely, probably, hopefully, a happy ending!
Each week, an a-list guest star will step into the role of Sir Philip Bin – the full performance schedule is as follows: 3- 7 May: Nina Wadia, 9-14 May: Dermot O’Leary, 16-21 May: Sally Phillips, 23-28 May: Robert Lindsay, 30 May – 4 June: Sue Perkins, 6-11 June: Julian Clary, 13-18 June: Adjoa Andoh, 20-25 June: Craig Ferguson, 27, June – 2 July: Lee Mack, 4-9 July: Stephen Mangan, 11-16 July: Jo Brand, 18-23 July: Tom Allen, 25-30 July: Jack Dee , 1-6 August: Alexander Armstrong, 8-13 August: Stephen Fry, 15-20 August: Ben Miller, 29 August – 3 September: Nish Kumar.
The production will open in preview at the Criterion Theatre from 3 May. It will have a press night on 18 May and performances will run until 3 September.
