Jermyn Street Theatre and Guildford Shakespeare Company have announced full casting for a new three-actor adaptation of Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield, opening in London this November.
Directed by Abigail Pickard Price, the production stars Luke Barton, Louise Beresford and Eddy Payne, who will bring to life nineteen of Dickens’ most memorable characters using hats, trunks and puppets. The production runs from 20 November to 20 December 2025 at Jermyn Street Theatre in London’s West End.
Luke Barton’s theatre credits include Pride and Prejudice (59E59 Theatres NYC/Jermyn Street Theatre/Guildford Shakespeare Company) and Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense (Salisbury Playhouse/ Bolton Octagon Theatre).
Louise Beresford’s theatre credits include Bedroom Farce, Feed (UK tours), Magic Goes Wrong (Apollo Theatre), Behold the Monkey Jesus (Jack Studio Theatre), Thirsty (Vault Festival/Park Theatre),
Eddy Payne’s credits include Richard II, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet (Guildford Shakespeare Company/ Orange Tree Theatre), Pinocchio (Watermill Theatre), Romeo and Juliet, Little Women, Stig of the Dump (Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre).
Adapted by Pickard Price with Guildford Shakespeare Company co-founders Sarah Gobran and Matt Pinches, this inventive retelling follows young David as he navigates eccentric aunts, cruel stepfathers and dismal schools on his journey from orphanhood to authorship.
Pickard Price said: “David Copperfield is an epic coming-of-age tale filled with extraordinary characters. In our version, nineteen of them are brought to life by just three brilliant actors – Eddy, Louise and Luke – with the help of hats, trunks, and a few puppets. It’s a real joy to return to Jermyn Street Theatre after Pride and Prejudice last year – it’s the perfect space for this kind of storytelling.”
The creative team includes movement director Amy Lawrence, set and costume designer Neil Irish, associate designer and costume supervisor Anett Black, lighting designer Mark Dymock, and sound designer Matt Eaton.
This marks another collaboration between Jermyn Street Theatre and Guildford Shakespeare Company, following their acclaimed 2024 production of Pride and Prejudice. The Guildford-based company, founded by Sarah Gobran and Matt Pinches, is known for its imaginative, site-responsive work that has toured internationally.
A festive treat filled with humour and heart, David Copperfield promises a fresh and spirited take on Dickens’ beloved coming-of-age classic.
David Copperfield runs from 20 November to 20 December 2025 at Jermyn Street Theatre
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