Craig Ferguson and Robert Lindsay are the latest names to join the lineup of guest stars appearing in the West End transfer of Mark Evan’s Dickens mash up Bleak Expectations.
Craig Ferguson is a Scottish American comedian, actor, writer, and television host. He is perhaps best known for hosting the CBS late-night talk show The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.
Craig Ferguson said: “ I’m delighted to be taking a brief sojourn from the self-aggrandizing hyperbolic world of American showbiz to be part of what many people are saying will be the greatest theatrical production of all time”.
BAFTA, Tony and double Oliver Award winner Robert Lindsay is known for his extensive stage and TV work including the long-running series My Family. Lindsay said: “What a journey from my first school play, “What the Dickens” playing the Dartful Rodger thru to Fagin at the Palladium to the peak of a “Bleak” appearance at the Criterion….. I’ve fulfilled my “Expectations”
Each week Bleak Expectations will feature a special guest to star in the role of the narrator, Sir Philip (“Pip”) Bin, in the show.
Stars already confirmed include 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.
The performance schedule is as follows:
3- 7 May: Nina Wadia
9-14 May: Dermot O’Leary
16-21 May: Sally Phillips
23-28 May: Robert Lindsay
30 May – 4 June: Sue Perkins
6-11 June: Julian Clary
13-18 June: Adjoa Andoh
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
15-20 August: Ben Miller
29 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!
The full ensemble cast includes Ashh Blackwood, Shane David-Joseph, J.J. Henry, John Hopkins, Dom Hodson, Serena Manteghi, Marc Pickering and Rachel Summers.
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.
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
Other Guest Stars
Criterion Theatre, London
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