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Bleak Expectations (play)

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Bleak Expectations
Written by
Date premiered27 May 2022 (27 May 2022)
Place premieredWatermill Theatre, Newbury, Berkshire
Original languageEnglish
GenreComedy

Bleak Expectations is a comedy play by Mark Evans based on his BBC Radio 4 series of the same name.

Production history

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The play made its world premiere at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury, Berkshire directed by Caroline Lesley, running from 27 May until 2 July 2022.[1]

Due to the success of the Watermill production, the play transferred to London's West End at the Criterion Theatre from 3 May 2023.[2] A different guest star appears each week as the narrator, including Tom Allen, Adjoa Andoh, Alexander Armstrong, Julian Clary, Jack Dee, Stephen Fry, Lee Mack, Stephen Mangan, Dermot O'Leary, Sue Perkins, Sally Philips and Nina Wadia. The production was due to run until 3 September, however was announced it would be closing early on 13 August 2023 (cancelling Ben Miller and Nish Kumar's runs as the narrator). Hugh Dennis was also announced to replace Jo Brand's run as the narrator.

Cast and characters

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Main character Original Watermill cast (2022) Original West End cast (2023)
Agnes Bin / Flora Dies-Early Alicia McKenzie Ashh Blackwood
Gently Benevolent Simon Kane John Hopkins
The Hardthrashers Dan Tetsell Marc Pickering
Harry Biscuit / Mr Parsimonious JJ Henry
Pip Bin Dom Hodson
Pippa Bin Rosie Basista Serena Manteghi
Poppy Bin / Ripely Fecund Caitlin Scott Rachel Summers
Thomas Bin / Bakewell Havertwitch / Broadly Fecund Colm Gleeson Shane David-Joseph
Sir Philip Bin Nicholas Murchie Various guest stars*
Understudies Abigail Matthews
Conor Dumbrell
Emily Waters
Eric Mallett

References

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  1. ^ "Stage Version Of Bleak Expectations Based On The Radio Comedy". Beyond The Joke. March 29, 2022.
  2. ^ "Comedy mash-up BLEAK EXPECTATIONS to open at the Criterion Theatre". West End Wilma. February 18, 2023.