A NEW adaptation of Charles Dickens' literary masterpiece Great Expectations looks set to provide Stratford's Royal Shakespeare Company with another hit this winter.
The story of the orphaned Pip, and his attempts to become a "gentleman", makes for one of Dickens' best-loved, and unusually touching novels.
Populated with memorable characters such as the eccentric Miss Havisham, and the beautiful, yet conceited Estella, Great Expectations was voted the most popular Dickens' novel in the BBC's recent Big Read poll.
This new version comes from the joint founders of the internationally acclaimed Cheek By Jowl theatre company - Nick Ormerod and Declan Donnellan - who, respectively, will also be designing and directing the show.
Accomplished stage and screen actress Sian Phillips, who last worked for the RSC in 1961, makes her Stratford debut as Miss Havisham and Samuel Roukin plays Pip. All in all, it promises to be one of the highlights of the festive period.
Great Expectations runs at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon, until Saturday, February 4, 2006 and tickets can be obtained from the box office on 0870 609 1110.
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