Bleak Expectations Tickets

Criterion Theatre, London
3 May 2023 - 3 September 2023

Based on the hit BBC Radio 4 comedy

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 from 3 May to 3 September 2023.

Dates of star performers

3- 7 May: Nina Wadia
9-14 May: Dermot O’Leary
16-21 May: Sally Philips
30 May – 4 June: Sue Perkins
6-11 June: Julian Clary
13-18 June: Adjoa Andoh
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
15-20 August: Ben Miller
29 August – 3 September: Nish Kumar

What's the story of Bleak Expectations?

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!

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, 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.

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.


Reviews of Bleak Expectations

“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)

Show Information

Performance dates
3 May 2023 - 3 September 2023
Age restrictions
10+
Running time
2 hours 15 minutes (inclusion interval)
Performance days
Evenings: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Matinees: Thursday, Saturday, Sunday

Performance information is for guidance only. Check booking calendar for details.


Show Videos


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
Maps:
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Apple
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Ticket Information

Official London Theatre tickets for Bleak Expectations at the Criterion Theatre, London

Book tickets to Bleak Expectations at the Criterion Theatre with WestendTheatre.com. You will be purchasing official London theatre tickets from an authorised retailer and member of the Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers.

Bleak Expectations booking calendar and seating plan→

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News about Bleak Expectations
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More stars and dates announced for Bleak Expectations at the Criterion Theatre
Hilarious Charles Dickens mash-up Bleak Expectations has revealed more stars to be added to its revolving roster of weekly star turns, ahead of the show opening in the West End this spring 2023. Each week a special guest will star in the role of the narrator, Sir Philip (“Pip”) Bin, in the show. New stars announced today include Julian Clary, Dermot O’Leary, Sally Philips and Nina Wadia. Stars already confirmed include Tom Allen, Adjoa Andoh, Alexander Armstrong, Jo Brand, Jack Dee, Stephen Fry, Nish Kumar, Lee Mack, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miller and Sue Perkins. The dates of which star will play which week has also bee revealed: 3- 7 May: Nina Wadia9-14 May: Dermot O’Leary16-21 May: Sally Philips30 May - 4 June: Sue Perkins6-11 June: Julian Clary13-18 June: Adjoa Andoh27 June - 2 July: Lee Mack4-9 July: Stephen Mangan11-16 July: Jo Brand18-23 July: Tom Allen25-30 July: Jack Dee1-6 August: Alexander Armstrong8-13 August: Stephen Fry15-20 August: Ben Miller29 August - 3 September: Nish Kumar This hilarious, high-octane show is written by Mark Evans and directed by Caroline Leslie, based on the hit BBC Radio 4 comedy. Bleak Expectations follows young 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! Also in the creative team of the show are Designer Katie Lias, Lighting Designer Andrew Exeter, Sound Designer Ella Wahlström, and Casting Director Lucy Jenkins and Sooki McShan. Julian Clary said: “Such a thrill to be giving my Sir Pip Bin in BLEAK EXPECTATIONS. It is a challenging role and I look forward to being stretched as never before.” Dermot O’Leary said: “I’m thrilled, excited, nervous, (all those wonderful sensations) can’t wait for a week of Dickensian silliness.” Sally Philips said: “What larks we’ll have, Pip, what larks we’ll have.” Bleak Expectations runs at the Criterion Theatre from 3 May 2023, to 3 September 2023. Book tickets to Bleak Expectations at the Criterion Theatre in London [ngg src="galleries" ids="1034" display="pro_tile"]
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Dickens mash-up Bleak Expectations to play the West End’s Criterion Theatre
Hilarious Charles Dickens mash-up Bleak Expectations is coming to London's West End this Spring. Written by Mark Evans and directed by Caroline Leslie, this hilarious, high-octane production is based on the hit BBC Radio 4 comedy, and first appeared at the Watermill Theatre in Newbury in 2022. Each week a very special guest will star in the role of the narrator, Sir Philip (“Pip”) Bin - and among those confirmed so far are Tom Allen, Adjoa Andoh, Alexander Armstrong, Jo Brand, Jack Dee, Stephen Fry, Nish Kumar, Lee Mack, Stephen Mangan, Ben Miller and Sue Perkins. A full schedule of dates for their appearances will be released soon. Bleak Expectations follows young 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! Also in the creative team are Designer Katie Lias, Lighting Designer Andrew Exeter, Sound Designer Ella Wahlström, and Casting Director Lucy Jenkins and Sooki McShan. Bleak Expectations will play the Criterion Theatre from 3 May 2023, to 3 September 2023. Star Cast Quotes! [ngg src="galleries" ids="1034" display="pro_tile"] Adjoa Andoh said in a press statement: “I was excessively fond of this presentation on the wireless and cannot wait to glory in the misadventures of Pip Bin Esquire and his hapless band of acolytes. Bridgerton/Smidgerton - here is the pony for this game dame…” Jo Brand said: “Bleak Expectations is the motto by which I have always lived my life, so delighted I can continue to live the dream.” Jack Dee said: “I’m appearing as The Ghost of Comics Past”. Stephen Fry said: “I’m so excited about this coming gig that I simply can’t keep any solid food down. Sounds a bit grim, but I only throw up for really prestige projects. I heaved slightly before my last appearance on the Graham Norton Show, and pacing nervously backstage at the Platinum Jubilee Party at the Palace last year I regurgitated as much as a full serving of Rice Krispies. But this Bleak Expectations guest slot already has me spewing colossal arcs of sick every morning. A really good sign.” Nish Kumar said: “ I am as excited to do whatever this is as any human being has ever been about doing anything in the entire human species.” Ben Miller said: “Few things, I contend, may afford an actor such pleasure as joining the cast of Bleak Expectations for a glorious week of their knicker-wettingly funny Criterion run.” Bleak Expectations is produced in the West End by Anthology Theatre Productions, Glass Half Full Productions, Patrick Gracey, David Wolstencroft, and David Mirvish, John Yonover, Ricardo Hornos / Tomas Rottemberg, Richard Winkler / Dawn Smalberg, in association with Act Productions, TC Beech, Marianne Benton and Scott Delman / Florence Sloan. Book tickets to Bleak Expectations at the Criterion Theatre in London

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