A TIMELESS classic from Charles Dickens is the next production to arrive at Malvern’s Festival Theatre this week.

Part of a national tour, this Tilted Wig Production together with Malvern Theatres, brings Great Expectations to this popular Worcestershire theatre’s stage on Thursday, February 8.

Starring in it will be Nichola McAuliffe is taking on the role of Miss Havisham in this powerful new stage adaptation by Ken Bentley and directed by Sophie Boyce Couzens.

The cast also includes Séan Aydon (Pip), Isla Carter (Estella), Edward Ferrow (Joe Gargery) and Richard Earl (Jaggers/Pumblechook).

Following a terrifying encounter with an escaped convict, young Pip is given an unexpected chance to better himself by visiting the reclusive and mysterious Miss Havisham. In the decaying grandeur of her house, Pip falls in love with Estella and helped by an anonymous benefactor, he moves to the bustling city to pursue his dream of winning Estella’s heart and becoming part of the educated elite.

Peopled by some of Dickens’ most colourful and memorable characters, and painted in rich, vivid colour this new production promises a powerful and theatrical telling of Dicken’s universally loved masterpiece.

Olivier Award-winning actress Nichola McAuliffe is best known for her role in the long-running TV series Surgical Spirit, the films Tomorrow Never Dies and Chéri and for her many stage appearances including Kiss Me Kate for the RSC, The Night of the Iguana in the West End and Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van.


Great Expectations is at the Festival from Thursday, March 8 through to Saturday, March 10, and the following week it is also from Thursday to Saturday, March 15 to 17. There will be a relaxed performance on March 16 at 1pm, morning performances on both Thursdays and afternoon matinees on both Saturdays.

Tickets are on sale at the Box Office 01684 892277 and online at malvern-theatres.co.uk.