Hard Times

Original by Charles Dickens Adapted for the stage by Charles Way Dominated by Gradgrind and Bounderby, Coketown's prosperity is built on the cotton mills where thousands of men and women slave away for long hours and little pay. Gradgrind's obsession with material progress damages his children Louisa and Tom, leading to scandal and disaster. Hard Times celebrates the importance of the human heart in an age obsessed with materialism. Circus, music, and dark comedy all go into the rich mix of this truly Dickensian theatrical tale.

About the Author :
Charles Dickens (1812 – 1870) Born in Portsmouth, England, Dickens was the eldest male child in a large family. His father was a naval clerk who was often in debt and Dickens was sent to work at an early age in a shoe polish factory. Initially, he sold his writing in monthly instalments and became one of Great Britain’s most popular novelists. During a prolific writing career he gave many public readings and wrote several novels which have since become classics such as Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol, Nicholas Nickleby, David Copperfield, A Tale of Two Cities and Great Expectations. He died before finishing The Mystery of Edwin Drood, his final novel. Charles Way Charles Way has written over forty plays. He writes for adults, young people and children and his work has been performed widely across the world. He has won several major awards including the Arts Council’s Children’s Award for Red, Red Shoes and the German Young People’s Theatre Prize for Missing. His most recent works are Ragnarok for Eastern Angles Theatre, Nivelli’s War and The Gift, both for Cahoots NI. He is well known for his versions of famous tales including, Wanted, Robin Hood, The Snow Queen and many others. He has written several plays for radio and a TV poem for BBC2 No Borders set on the Welsh borders, where he lives and has spent most of his creative life.

Review :
“A stellar adaptation by Charles Way, moving, thoughtful and wonderfully drawn.” What's on Stage ***** “Way gives real depth to characters, replaces Dickens' sentimentality with warmth and his censoriousness with moral indignation.” The Independent ***** “Daringly restructures Dickens' plot, yet sticks to the motto of his lisping ringmaster Mr Sleary: People mutht be amuthed.” Observer “Charles Way's new adaptation uses no narration—it is so refreshing to see a Dickens adaptation that isn't like having sections of the book read to you—apart from when the actors tell us what eventually happens to their characters right at the end. It also doesn't bite off more than it can chew, using only storylines that can be told in sufficient detail to make sense and tie in with other elements of the plot.” British Theatre Guide “A re-reading of the novel showed Way’s adaptation to be faithful to the original, including the pathos and the humour.” Manchester Theatre Awards