No longer booking
  • Venue Criterion Theatre, London
  • Performance dates Booking to 13 August 2023
  • Running time 2 hours 15 minutes (inclusion interval)
  • Age guidelines 10+

Based on the hit BBC Radio 4 comedy

★★★★ “English eccentricity at its madcap best” – The Telegraph

A riotously funny, high-octane stage adaptation of the hit BBC Radio 4 series by Mark Evans.

Bleak Expectations is the story that Charles Dickens might have written after drinking too much gin. And, crucially, had lived for another 152 years! Two-time winner of the Best Radio Sitcom award and winner of a Sony Award, Bleak Expectations has captivated audiences and critics alike since its 2007 debut.

Follow the hilarious misadventures of the young Pip Bin – tragic half orphan, hopeless romantic and would-be-hero – as this glorious Victorian mash-up arrives at the Criterion Theatre for a limited season from the 3 May.

And each week a special star guest will play the narrator, Sir Philip (“Pip”) Bin – including Tom Allen, Adjoa Andoh, Alexander Armstrong, Jo Brand, Jack Dee, Stephen Fry, Nish Kumar, Lee Mack, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miller, Sue Perkins, Julian Clary, Dermot O’Leary, Sally Philips and Nina Wadia (see dates of stars, below).

Bleak Expectations will play the Criterion Theatre in London until 13 August 2023.

Dates of star performers

20-25 June: Craig Ferguson
27 June – 2 July: Lee Mack
4-9 July: Stephen Mangan
11-16 July: Jo Brand
18-23 July: Tom Allen
25-30 July: Jack Dee
1-6 August: Alexander Armstrong
8-13 August: Stephen Fry

Follow Pip’s extraordinary exploits with sisters Pippa and Poppy plus best friend Harry Biscuit as they attempt to escape the calculating clutches of the dastardly Mr Gently Benevolent, defeat the hideous Hardthrasher siblings, and deflect disaster at every turn!

Will evil be vanquished by virtue? Can love triumph over hate? Escape with this joyfully anarchic comedy featuring barbarous boarding schools, contemptible conspiracies, roaring romances, devilish disguises, and definitely, probably, hopefully, a happy ending!

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Performance Information

Check booking calendar for full details

Stars and Creatives

Alexander Armstrong
Alexander Armstrong

Who is in the cast of Bleak Expectations?

Each week a special star guest will play the narrator, Sir Philip (“Pip”) Bin – including Tom Allen, Robert Lindsay, Adjoa Andoh, Alexander Armstrong, Jo Brand, Jack Dee, Stephen Fry, Nish Kumar, Craig Ferguson, Lee Mack, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miller, Sue Perkins, Julian Clary, Dermot O’Leary, Sally Philips and Nina Wadia.

Who are the creative team of Bleak Expectations?

Written by Mark Evans. Directed by Caroline Leslie with design by Katie Lias, lighting design by Andrew Exeter and sound design by Ella Wahlström. Casting directors are Lucy Jenkins and Sooki McShan.

Important Notes

Content Warning: This performances uses prop guns and contains loud noises, haze and at points flashes of light.

Casting: The producers cannot guarantee the appearance of any particular artist at any performance, as this is subject to a variety of factors including illness, injury, or events beyond the producers’ control. No refunds or exchanges will be offered as a result of an artist’s unavailability to perform at any performance.

Venue Information

Criterion Theatre , Piccadilly Circus, London, SW1Y 4XA

Nearest Tube or Train: Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly line, Bakerloo line)

Nearest Buses: 3, 6, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 22, 23, 38, 88, 94, 139, 159, 453

Directions

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Critics' reviews of Bleak Expectations

★★★★ "This Dickens pastiche is English eccentricity at its madcap best" - The Telegraph (Criterion Theatre)

“ZINGS WITH INTELLIGENCE, IMAGINATION & OODLES OF SILLINESS” - THE GUARDIAN (Watermill Theatre)

“CHEEK-ACHINGLY FUNNY” BROADWAY WORLD (Watermill Theatre)

“COMEDIC DICKENS MASH-UP TRIUMPHANTLY MAKES THE TRANSITION FROM RADIO TO STAGE” WHATSONSTAGE (Watermill Theatre)

Also see: Bleak Expectations Reviews Round-up

Frequently Asked Questions

Bleak Expectations is playing at the Criterion Theatre in London
The running time of Bleak Expectations is 2 hours 15 minutes (inclusion interval)
The age recommendations for Bleak Expectations are: 10+
Yes, Bleak Expectations has matinee performances on the following days: Thursday, Saturday, Sunday
No, sorry, Bleak Expectations has now completed its run and is no longer on sale.

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