Dickensblog

'Nick Nickleby': A review

By Tryntsje Cuperus, guest blogger

Nick Nickleby aired on the BBC in mid-November, basically unannounced and tucked away somewhere in the early afternoon. That's a real pity, because this modern adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel Nicholas Nickleby is a little gem which should be viewed by many more people!

Petition for 'Oliver Twist'

There's a petition at Change.org to the BBC, to release the 1962 adaptation of Oliver Twist on DVD. Go here to sign! Thanks to Judy for the tip.

'Martin Chuzzlewit' (1994): A review

By Nina S., guest blogger

Martin Chuzzlewit is one of Dickens' lesser-known, or at least lesser-read, novels.  I first read it a few years ago in my campaign to read everything Dickensian I could get my hands on, and despite its reputation, I was surprised to find I enjoyed it very much, and it quickly became one of my favorite of Dickens' early works!  Recently, I stumbled across the 1994 BBC miniseries on YouTube, and decided to give it a go too, even though it was nearly six hours long. And in my opinion, it turned out to be one of the best Dickensian adaptations I've seen so far.

'Nick Nickleby' airs in Britain

I'm a little late with this news: The miniseries Nick Nickleby aired on BBC One earlier this month. (Thanks to Pete Orford for the tip.) The modernized version of Dickens's third novel, which ran in the afternoons, earned between 700,000 and 800,000 viewers per installment. I don't know yet whether it will be made available over here, but the show's website mentions an international distributor, so it might be! In the meantime, a few clips are available at the BBC site.

Two actor interviews

In the New York Times, Stephanie J. Block talks about being a woman playing a woman playing a man in Broadway's The Mystery of Edwin Drood.

(Speaking of Drood, I was unable to make the trip to see it this weekend as planned. I hope to reschedule for sometime soon.)

And at Express.co.uk, Adrian Dunbar talks about playing Ralph in the new BBC update of Nicholas Nickleby.

It's 'Great Expectations'-mania!

What in the heck!? No sooner does the CW announce a modern Great Expectations-based series, than ABC follows suit with one of their own! They're developing a GE-based primetime drama called Legacy.

Well, Hollywood, all this attention is very flattering to Mr. Dickens . . . but you do realize he wrote other books, right?

Be afraid. Be very, very afraid.

"The CW . . . has given script orders to Expectations, a modern-day reimagining of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations, The Hollywood Reporter has learned."

More on the 'Nickleby' TV update

Another, more detailed report on Nick Nickleby is available at ScreenTerrier.

Better late than never

Somehow I missed it when it first came out, back in February, but the 2009 BBC Radio 4 production of Our Mutual Friend is now available on Audible.com!

Progress report on 'Nick Nickleby'

The Belfast Telegraph has a story on the upcoming TV update of Nicholas Nickleby.