Review: David Copperfield, Jermyn Street Theatre

As a relative newcomer to the world of Dickens, aside from the big hitters A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist, I entered the world of David Copperfield at the marvellous Jermyn Street Theatre, with wide-eyed wonder and anticipation. Very much, I’d hope, what Dickens would want a fledgling viewer to do.

Having seen the Guildford Shakespeare Company at work earlier in the year in the fantastic Pride & Prejudice, I was delighted that Abigail Pickard Price has given a similar energy and approach to this adaptation of another literary classic. A short disclaimer – I’m sure that Dickens aficionados may baulk at this production for the fast pace, the absence of some original characters, and the (at times) well-scripted and rehearsed tomfoolery of the ensemble; however, as a novice, I found it rather wonderful.

We start on a stormy night with the birth of young David, eagerly anticipated, albeit as a girl, by his aunt Miss Betsey (Louise Beresford). His Mother’s housemaid, Peggotty, (Luke Barton), presents the baby along with the news that this is not the niece Betsey was expecting. 

We soon see young David (Eddy Payne) finding his way through life, being pushed from pillar to post, and developing his relationships with the influential characters he comes across. Payne has a vibrant, youthful energy throughout as David, narrating the story to the audience whilst being true to the character. Noticeably, and I think rightly, he is the only one of the three cast members who remains in one role for the entire performance, allowing him to shine and the audience to focus on him as the titular character.

Beresford is utterly convincing as Aunt Betsey, who, after initially shunning young David, soon switches to be his biggest ally. The scenes with Betsey and Mr Dick (Barton) are a highlight.

Whilst all three cast members are energetic and engaging, the comic timing and masterful characterisations of Barton make him the star of the show, quickly changing from one character to the next: from the winsomeness of Peggotty, to the booming Mr Micawber, to the sweet foolishness of Mr Dick, he is mesmerising.

The intimate, clever staging by Neil Irish is the perfect structure for our three cast members to enter and exit the stage freely, often changing costumes (also by Irish) and rearranging more flexible parts of the set and props as they come and go. As with Pride & Prejudice previously, some very clever props and costuming assist the story along, even with, at one point, a dress being worn by Beresford being deconstructed to form an ocean scene. Hat-ography is a signature move of the team here, and given there are only three actors present, this is helpful to envisage some larger group scenes, with the dominating Mr Murdstone’s only presence on stage being a hat and coat puppet piece operated by Barton.

Music and sounds of the period (Matt Eaton) are subtle yet powerful and not overwhelming. We are treated at one point to a dance scene (which quite rightly got a round of applause from the audience), adding to the already carefully curated movement (Amy Lawrence) around the compact set. 

There is a certain sweetness and charm to the entire production, coming not only from the original writing and adaptation but also from the cast themselves, who clearly work well together. Despite a huge amount of dialogue for each of them, there’s not a stumble or stutter anywhere, again reminding me that a production by a cast of this calibre in such an intimate space is far, far superior to some big-budget, high-profile shows I’ve seen of late. A most enjoyable evening.

Based on the original novel by Charles Dickens
Adapted by Abigail Pickard Price with Sarah Gobran & Matt Pinches
Director: Abigail Pickard Price
Set & Costume Designer: Neil Irish
Lighting Designer: Mark Dymock
Sound Designer: Matt Eaton
Associate Designer & Costume Supervisor: Anett Black
Fight Director: Philip D’Orleans
Movement Director: Amy Lawrence
Company Stage & Production Manager: Hannah Walker

David Copperfield runs at Jermyn Street Theatre until Saturday 20 December