David Copperfield – Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Writer: Charles Dickens

Adaptor: Deborah McAndrew

Director: Elizabeth Newman

Reviewer: Malcolm Wallace

The Public Reviews Rating:

In the competitive Christmas market theatres need to ensure that their Christmas production stands out above the rest. The Bolton Octagon has picked something slightly unusual this festive season, but in amongst Manchester’s other Christmas theatrical offerings, this Dickensian tale might just hit the right mark.

To adapt Charles Dickens’ sprawling 700 page novel into a 2 hour family show is no mean feat, but it’s a challenge bravely taken on by Deborah McAndrew and she succeeds exceptionally well. Vast quantities of the novel are missed out or simplified and several characters omitted, but the basic story of the life of David Copperfield remains intact and is told in a coherent and exuberant manner.

For this production the Octagon has assembled a multi talented and versatile cast of eight professionals who can all sing and play several musical instruments whilst at the same time portray multiple and very different characters. Heading the cast in the title role is Geoffrey Breton whose energetic performance is full of warmth and vitality and his crystal clear diction ensures the narrative isn’t lost for a moment. Also highly impressive is Ruth Alexander Rubin who excels as three mature but influential women in Copperfield’s life.

Alongside the adults is a team of six young performers who all appear confident and interact with the adults well. However, they must learn to project their voices more and speak more clearly. Much of the dialogue from the young cast is entirely incomprehensible.

Physically the production is superb. Lucy Sierra’s wide set design provides plenty of room for several specific stage areas used to depict different settings and the use of three levels of staging levels is brilliantly thought out. Director Elizabeth Newman uses Sierra’s set to its utmost potential and no nook or cranny is left unexplored and unused. She introduces puppetry and large visual props to enhance the storytelling and maintain the interest of the youthful audience. She also manages to inject a good deal of humour into the production which is cleverly aimed at youngsters and adults alike.

The weakest element of the evening is the music by Conrad Nelson. There are one or two moments when the music genuinely helps to push the story along or clarify a point but by and large the majority of the score is repetitive and dull, although full credit to the cast for learning the entire score and hitting all the right notes throughout.

Overall, this David Copperfield is a solid production that delighted the audience on the night I attended. Despite the flaws this is an good alternative to usual Christmas pantomimes and mega-musicals that play the Manchester theatres, so if you’re looking for something a bit different, David Copperfield might just be the ticket.