Bleak Expectations To Open In Criterion Theatre In May
WEST END DEBUT SEASON ANNOUNCED FOR MARK EVANS’ HILARIOUS AND HIGH-OCTANE DICKENS MASH-UP
Producers have announced that Caroline Leslie’s irresistible production of Mark Evans’ glorious comedy mash-up Bleak Expectations will open in preview at the Criterion Theatre from 3 May. This stage adaptation of the award-winning BBC Radio 4 comedy of the same name, will feature each week a very special guest star in the role of Sir Philip (“Pip”) Bin.
Among those confirmed so far to make an appearance are: Tom Allen, Adjoa Andoh, Alexander Armstrong, Jo Brand, Jack Dee, Stephen Fry, Nish Kumar, Lee Mack, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miller, and Sue Perkins.
Adjoa Andoh said: “I was excessively fond of this presentation on the wireless and cannot wait to glory in the misadventures of Pip Bin Esquire and his hapless band of acolytes. Bridgerton/Smidgerton – here is the pony for this game dame…”
Jo Brand said: “Bleak Expectations is the motto by which I have always lived my life, so delighted I can continue to live the dream.”
Nish Kumar said: “ I am as excited to do whatever this is as any human being has ever been about doing anything in the entire human species.”
Ben Miller said: “Few things, I contend, may afford an actor such pleasure as joining the cast of Bleak Expectations for a glorious week of their knicker-wettingly funny Criterion run.”
A full schedule of dates for these appearances will be released at a later date.
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!
Full casting for the production will be announced soon. And tickets to the run are on sale now, starting at £15 with over 16,000 tickets available across the run at £30 or under.
BLEAK EXPECTATIONS
Venue
Criterion Theatre
218-223 Piccadilly
St. James’s
London W1J 9HR
Performance Dates
3 May – 3 September 2023
Performance Times
Tuesday to Saturday: 7:30PM
Thursday and Saturday: 2:30PM
Sunday: 3PM
Tickets
Ticket Price
From £15
CREATIVES
Writer: Mark Evans
Director: Caroline Leslie
Designer: Katie Lias
Lighting Designer: Andrew Exeter
Sound Designer: Ella Wahlström
Casting Director: Lucy Jenkins & Sooki McShane
