The Dear Boy ’ s Rags-to-Riches Tale Exceeds Expectations
Great Expectations By Charles Dickens Adapted by Paul Glaser English Theatre of Hamburg Director : Paul Glaser
Launching their forty-sixth season with the world premiere of a new adaptation of Charles Dickens ’ universally beloved , acclaimed 1861 novel is ingenious ; utilizing pioneering technology to bring his favorite book to the English Theatre ’ s stage supports Paul Glaser ’ s vision . Great Expectations tells the socially sobering story of Victorian England ’ s stringent class structure and the hopelessness , yet possibility , of rising above one ’ s birthstation . The director personally thanks Hamburg ’ s Kulturbehörde for supporting his vision by allowing the theater to purchase the projectors and hardware needed for this — and future — productions .
Mrs . Joe continually nags young Pip , reminding him that it ’ s her and Joe Gargery , the village blacksmith , who provide home and hearth ; her unsophisticated , generous-hearted husband is Pip ’ s friend and defender , contrasting his sister ’ s hottempered resentment . One portentous day , while visiting his parents ’ tombstones , Pip is accosted by escaped convict Abel Magwitch : fear dictates helping Magwitch . The self-important Uncle Pumblechook takes Pip to wealthy Miss Havisham ’ s home . When Miss Havisham was jilted decades past while dressing for her wedding , both time and clocks stood still ; still attired so , she startles timid Pip . Regular visits ensue to amuse her equally young
BY MARINELL HAEGELIN
Left to right : Michelle Todd as Mrs . Hubble , Dominic Charman as Mrs . Joe , Charles Cromwell as Herbert Pocket , Jonny Magnanti as Joe Gargery , and ( under table ) Theo Watt as Pip
ward , the cold-hearted Estella . It ’ s at Satis House that Pip first feels the sting of lower-class status . Some years later , the London lawyer Jaggers appears ; Pip has been
Left to right : Naomi O ’ Taylor as Estella , Theo Watt as Pip , Michelle Todd as Miss Havisham
( Photos courtesy of English Theatre of Hamburg )
bequeathed a large fortune by an anonymous benefactor . The young man is to be London-educated in the ways of a gentleman , with Jagger ’ s law clerk , Wemmick , handling Pip ’ s monetary affairs . Matthew Pocket is to conduct Pip ’ s tutorage , and he ’ ll share housing with Pocket ’ s son , Herbert . They become fast friends and live a carefree life . Years on and rather snobbish , Pip is shocked by his patron ’ s sudden appearance ; nevertheless , Pip navigates dangerous territory , helping his benefactor with Herbert ’ s assistance . Eventually though , Pip ’ s fortunes turn , and he then finds out who his true friends are , and about his better nature .
Glaser spent one week in London narrowing down the 1,200 applica-
24 In Hamburg