Beckman Unicorn’s critically acclaimed West End production of Great Expectations The Play has been released on DVD after it was filmed and screened in cinemas across the UK
The Dickens Legacy Gala performance was filmed live at the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End in February 2013 and broadcast via satellite into 150 cinemas around the UK and Ireland before being given a global theatrical release across over 600 sites.
The production was presented as the culmination of the Dickens bicentenary celebrations – the first time that Great Expectations had been performed on the West End as a full-scale play and the first time a West End stage show was broadcast live into cinemas It received numerous outstanding reviews including The Times (‘Pure Theatre’ 4*), The Telegraph (‘An eerie and fantastical atmosphere’ 4*) and LondonTheatre.co.uk (‘Totally absorbing… Poignant… Compelling’ 4*).
A share of the DVD sales will be donated to the Dickens’ Legacy, the charity set up by Dickens’ great-great-great granddaughter Lucinda Dickens-Hawksley, which aims to provide access and educate young people on his work.
Dickens-Hawksley, a renowned biographer in her own right, said the DVD launch will allow people from all walks of life to enjoy one of Dickens’ best loved stories.
“It was wonderful to see Great Expectations transformed on the West End last year and now the DVD will take the story from the stage into homes and schools for even more people to enjoy. My great-great-great grandfather was passionate about supporting those less fortunate and this will help continue our work in making sure that young people know and love this work, both in the written and theatrical form.”
Jo Clifford’s gothic adaptation stars Jack Ellis as Jaggers, Chris Ellison as convict, Magwitch, and Paula Wilcox taking on the role of the tragic and haunting Miss Havisham. Paul Nivison also stars as Adult Pip, Grace Rowe as Estella and introducing Taylor Jay-Davies as Young Pip.
The DVD also includes bonus interviews with director Graham McLaren, Dickens-Hawksley, and Dickens aficionado, actor Simon Callow.
The DVD can be purchased via www.GreatExpectationsThePlay.
The video-on-demand release will follow at the beginning of March 2014.