Jack Studio Theatre – until 14th November 2026
Reviewed by Claire Roderick
3***
VandL Productions return to the Jack Studio Theatre with another Dickens adaptation. This time, Liz Love tackles Great Expectations, the story of young Pip and his mysterious benefactor who gifts him money to escape his life in the forge at the edge of the marshes and enter society as a gentleman, giving Pip the vain hope that he will one day be good enough to marry the haughty Estella. Having finally read the book this summer I was intrigued as to how the story could be pared down to 100 minutes.
Love’s choice to set the story a century later than Dickens delivers a striking prologue and epilogue as Pip prepares for a flight as a WWII pilot and the reunion in the ruins of Satis House becomes a secret mission with a classic British war film doomed romance atmosphere, but that’s about it. The choice completely muddies the jeopardy of Magwitch’s storyline and motivation and the rest of the play still appears to be set in the 19th century. The cutting of the characters who are obstacles, enemies, and friends to Pip leaves only the slimeball Drummle and Pip himself to sabotage his great expectations and eliminates most of the physical hardness and roughness of Pip’s existence, making his determination to become a gentleman even more selfish. It is a shame to have a Dickens story without one of his grotesque bullies receiving his comeuppance. Estella’s parentage also becomes a footnote. Without the plots, vengeance, and fisticuffs, a lot more exposition is needed and Pip’s journey to manhood is less layered and less interesting – giving Reece Lewis a lot to do to make Pip sympathetic and ensure the audience care about his eventual realisation of what really matters in life.
The cast all impress, with Reece Lewis holding everything together as an infuriating but charming Pip. Rachael Sparkes is a wonderfully icy Estella and Molly Hockham is a glorious contrast as the warm and loving Biddy (Pip, you fool!) while Aryan Chavda’s Joe is sweet and strong. Caroline Edwards is a little too menacing as Miss Haversham for me but portrays the bitterness well. Vince Mathews steals every scene as Jaggers with his pompous and seemingly heartless declarations delivered archly and lightly.
Love also directs, moving the play along at a steady pace and ensuring the adaptation tells the story as clearly as possible with the choices made. The play is entertaining and earnest, but perhaps increasing the cast and running time could have made this a more emotionally satisfying production.