Nicholas Nickleby: A Farce in 2 Acts

About this book

This stage adaptation of Dickens’ novel debuted in November of 1838 at the Adelphi Theater in London. Only eight installments of the story had been published at that time, therefore several characters such as the theatrical Crummles family who play an important part in the latter half of the text do not appear in this work. The ending of this adaptation is also wholly a creation of playwright Edward Stirling, not novelist Dickens. Charles Dickens attended a performance of the play which starred comedienne Mary Keeley in the role of Smike. Despite his usual stern disapproval of unauthorized versions of his works, Dickens is said to have thoroughly the enjoyed performances and Stirling’s take on “Nickleby.” (Summary by Kelly Taylor)Cast List: Nicholas Nickleby ToddHW Ralph Nickleby Tomas Peter Newman Noggs Adrian Stephens Mantellini Algy Pug Squeers Alan Mapstone Scaley Rob Marland Smike Jake Malizia Lord Verisopht Greg Giordano John Browdie Andrew Latheron Wendy Katz Hiller Kate Nickleby Jenn Broda Madame Mantilini Matea Bracic Miss Knagg TJ Burns Miss Squeers Michele Eaton Miss Price Lynette Caulkins Mrs. Squeers mleigh Waiter David Purdy Servant James R. Hedrick Guard Jim Locke Boys Joanna Michal Hoyt Girls Bethany Baldwin Stage Directions Kelly S. Taylor