Most people's knowledge of Dickens comes from lavish TV series and sumptuous films, where the language of his books is made more accessible through adaptation. This particular performance of Dickens' first novel does precisely that, with a one hour romp through what was originally a monthly serial based on people that Dickens actually knew.
Mr Pickwick is founder and president of the Pickwick Club, which aims to send gentlemen across the country picking up curious stories of even curiouser characters, then sending said tales back to entertain the members. Here, we are treated to a few of the headliners – meet Mr Winkle, gentleman and co-member of the Pickwick Club; Mr Jingle, actor and cad; Mr Weller, loyal manservant and cockney wit, Mrs Bordell, spinster and plaintiff; and her son, played by a puppet. Nigel Nevinson's solo performance is a treat for lovers of Dickens and those who might like to try him. He transforms himself gently into each character with a mere a nod of the head, a change of hat or an adjustment of wig and then reenacts each situation with gusto.
We hear about Mr Pickwick’s time in Fleet prison, his hilarious accidental proposal to his landlady, the subsequent court case and are even treated to some Dickensian bedroom farce. The performance is bracketed, start and finish, by Pickwick's incarceration, during which he is enlightened to the situation of the remanded and convicted, subsequently championing the rights of the dispossessed and essentially putting his alms where his mouth is.
Mr Pickwick is clothed in full Dickensian attire (minus spats) and the few props are used ubiquitously, with trunks becoming carriages and prison cells and, to great comic effect, a hatstand playing two additional characters. The red silken curtains also add a (pre) Victorian peep show element to the plot.
Nevison's writing is tight, succinctly reducing an extensive novel to one hour. It's humorous and insightful and despite the abridgment manages to capture Dickens' astute eye for the absurd, most of which (particularly with regards to the legal profession) holds true today. Some of the audience knew Pickwick inside and out, others did not know their Pick from their Wick, but all had a Dickens of a time.
