AN enduring fable of the Victorian machine age is brought vividly and imaginatively to life on the Northcott Theatre stage, when just four actors create the entire panoply of Charles Dickens' characters — some funny, some tragic, some grotesque and some plain extraordinary.
Hard Times is adapted for the stage by Stephen Jeffreys and directed by Richard Baron.
Geoffrey Abbot plays Mr Gradgrind — and others — a man who raises his children Louisa and Tom to suppress their imagination, shun creativity and embrace Hard Facts. When the circus arrives in 19th Century Coketown, rebellion is inevitable, but escape almost impossible.
Bringing to life all the other characters are David Delve, last appearing at the Northcott Theatre in 1990 as the King in Sleeping Beauty; Emily Fairman who has appeared in Coronation Street, 'After Hours' and Bad Girls, and Helen Logan who has just finished her second season at Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
Contrasting a grinding existence of profit and power looms with the liberated world of the circus, Hard Times is funny, moving and extremely theatrical. Ben Crocker, artistic director of the Northcott Theatre, said: 'Hard Times is one of Dickens' best loved novels, and the critically acclaimed version we are presenting plays to all the strengths of live theatre.'
l On Saturday November 24, the Northcott Theatre flings open its doors — both inside and out — and welcomes members of the public to its seventh annual Open Day.
Visitors will be able to see and experience the backstage workings of a busy professional producing theatre. Entry is £1.50 on the door, or advance bookings can be made by calling the Northcott Theatre box Office. The event is sure to prove very popular, as numbers have increased every year.
As well as short guided backstage tours throughout the day, there is a series of presentations on stage.
Northcott Theatre box office on 01392 493493.