- Radio Times
- Review by:
- Jane Anderson
“There are dark shadows on the earth, but its lights are stronger in the contrast,” wrote Charles Dickens in The Pickwick Papers and in these five mini dramas about the writer’s life, we witness these extremes both in his personal life and in the Victorian London that so inspired him.
From a scared young boy lost in Covent Garden through to a Lear-like figure, raging at his last public reading through the characters of Nancy and Bert Sykes, this is the most vibrant portrayal of Dickens in the whole of the BBC season.
To add to the absolute joy of this outstanding production, listeners can view as well as hear the stories by using the Red Button or by visiting the R4 website.
About this programme
A-Not-Overly-Particularly-Taken-Care-of-Boy, by Michael Eaton. Charles Dickens visits London as an eight-year-old boy in the care of his uncle. The pair become separated by the crowds but, with the help of a young man, the terrors of the unknown surroundings form the basis for a world of new stories. Drama based on the author's essays about life in the city, starring Samuel Barnett. Broadcast earlier as part of Woman's Hour.
Cast and crew
Cast
- Boy
- Hugo Docking
- Young gentleman/Writer/Younger self
- Samuel Barnett
- Street Arab/Jo/Creature
- Ryan Watson
- Uncle/Bark
- Sam Dale
- Gog/Member/Waiter
- Jude Akuwudike
- Lad/Apprentice
- Henry Devas
- Judge/Magog/Confectioner/Earl of Warwick
- Sean Baker
- Mother/Clothes shop woman
- Joanna Monro
- Wife/Little girl/Child
- Deeivya Meir
- Pal/Clerk
- Iain Batchelor
- Manager/Conductor/Rogers/Dolby
- Brian Bowles
- Augustus Minns/Constable
- Nyasha Hatendi
- Alexander
- Bertie Gilbert
- Cousin/Catherine Dickens
- Jane Whittenshaw
- Husband/Sgt Williams/Steerforth
- Stuart McLoughlin
- Landlady/Mamie/Nurse
- Sally Orrock
- Passenger/Waitress
- Alex Tregear
- Apprentice
- Adeel Akhtar
- Drunken woman
- Claire Harry
- The Sparkler of Albion
- Alex Jennings
- Insp Field
- Elliott Levey
- Inimitable
- Antony Sher
Crew
- Director
- Jeremy Mortimer
- Producer
- Jeremy Mortimer
- Writer
- Michael Eaton
- Share this episode
-