Review: Bleak Expectations Play by Mark Evans at Stoke Rep Theatre*

Bleak Expectations Play

[Ad-gifted] Last night we were taken back in time to the calamities described as a A Dickensian parody with peril, romance and ridiculousness when we watched Bleak Expectations Play. The Stoke Rep Players put on one of their fabulously produced performances and we always love to attend their shows, as they somehow always wow us in the best ways possible.

The quality of the amateur (I say amateur lightly) dramatics that goes on at Stoke Rep is some of the best we’ve ever come across and they always put on a good show, so if you want to know what we thought of Bleak Expectations last night a parody of comedy inspired/taken from Dickens’ stories then keep reading our latest Yeah Lifestyle Theatre review.

What we thought of Bleak Expectations Play

Well, with a title that involves the word bleak you might be likely to think that you’re entering into the dark and dreary tales that most of us know and love by Dickens, however, last night was quite the opposite. Initially the play felt confusing and slightly surreal on the verge of weird – which clearly was exactly the intended outcome and learnt along the way.

The story was recounted by Sir Philip Bin’s understudy who also became The Ghost of Pip to Come in the play. It encompassed the life of Pip and his family with all the ups and downs they had to endure. The play celebrated the humour of Dickens which was done is a funny and cleaver way.

My friend and I certainly weren’t quite sure what to expect at the start but as the play took hold it was apparent that the chaos on stage, which included, jumping, walking around and making noises and other crazy happenings, was all part of the fun. As the play went on we realised how hilarious it was. It combined wit with the totally crazy. My friend laughed so much she had to wipe the happy tears from her eyes! And at the end she said she hadn’t laughed that much in a long time.

What also made the evening was the audience participation – I am not even sure if it was intended but one part in particular was, as the actors exited the stage the noise created by the stage door made a tripping sound and each actor would say “I am fine” which then by part way through the audience had twigged on, and each time the door made that sound they shouted “I’m fine” at the same time or before the actor delivered their lines. We also had the obligatory boos when one of the gloomier characters came in, which added to the fun of the night.

The stage was simple but worked well in setting the scene, plus props were added, such as, chairs and smaller sections were pulled out to create new locations within the scenes. What made it iconic was the way in which the stage decor was illustrated in black and white, which made it look as though you were seeing pages of a Dickens’ novel.

The cast were all great and every actor played a multitude of characters which made it all the more impressive that they successfully delivered the plethora of complicated lines and used a variety of different voices to differentiate between the roles. All in all, it was a wonderfully funny evening and we both had a fabulous time.

Cast

(In capitals are the actors given names, followed by the characters they played, who then played other characters within characters!)

MR DEREK YEOMANS – Sir Philip Bin’s Understudy, encompassing The Ghost of Pip to Come.
MR CARNAN ROBERTS – Catwick G.PT. – Young Mr Pip Bin.
MISS JANE PROCTER – Beatrice Durose – Mrs Agnes Bin; Miss Ripety Fecund, A Woman, A Cockney Vendor. A Juror and any other role she can get her hands on.
MISS SIOBHAN CHALLINOR – Francis Pussywillow – Miss Pippa Bin.
MISS MIRANDA GRESTY – Seraphina Stardust – Miss Poppy Bin; Miss Flora Dies-Early and A Juror.
MR MATTHEW SPOONER – Simon Fudgecake-Gobble – Mr Gently Benevolent – Mr Harlan J Trashcan and A Vicar.
MR DAVID PENGELLY – Llewellyn Acaster – Mr Skinflint Parsimonious and Mr Harry Biscuit,
MR RICHARD MORREY – Dr Bartholemew Puddi Whackwell Thrasher, The Reverend Praygood Hardthrasher, Headmaster tastity Hardthrasher and Judge Soloman Hardthrasher
MR IAN BIRKIN – Sir Percival Rhetoric-Smythe – Thomas Bin; Mr Bakewell Havertwich; Monsieur Boulange-Bien; Mr Broadly Fecurd, Another Vicar, A Hooded Guard and A Juror.
MR ANTHONY HADLEY – Alton Downes – Lily (an arm), A Solo School Boy, A Crutch Person; A Man; A Cockney Vendor, A Court Official; A Hooded Guard and Miss Agnes Bin’s Body Double.

Creatives

Stage Director – Tina Campbell
Set Design/Scenic Artist & Charcoal Guru – Dawn Birks
Stage Manager – Tina Campbell
Lighting Design & Operation – Stuart Campbell
Sound Design & Operation – Debbie Morrey
Wardrobe Coordinator – Kate Lindsay
Crew & Construction – Ray Vernon, Jayne Blake , Margo Bloor, Tina Campbell, Stuart Campbell, Chris Durham, Bob Flower, Richard Masters, Mark Rhead, Tony Rogerson, John Stone, Jo Whitehurst, Terry Wright
Front-of-House Manager – Nick Bailey
Box Office Manager – Sharon Lawton
Company Photographer & Video Voodoo – John Stone
Programme – Jayne Blake

How much do the tickets cost?

Evening tickets at £17.25 while matinee tickets are priced at £14.01.

How do I book tickets to watch Bleak Expectations Play?

Tickets are now on sale and available from the Players Box or by calling 01782 209784 (Mon to Fri from 5pm to 9pm or Sat to Sun from 10am to 5pm) or via email boxoffice@stokerepplayers.co.uk.

How long is the show for and what are the timings for Bleak Expectations Play?

The show will be running until Saturday, 13 December 2025. The shows will be at 7.30pm  each evening with a matinee show at 2.30pm on the Saturday.  Do visit their website for more details.

Where is Stoke Rep Theatre?

Leek Road
Stoke-On-Trent
ST4 2TR
Tel: (01782) 209897
email: stokerep@btconnect.com

About Stoke Rep Players

Stoke-on-Trent Repertory Players are the in-house theatre company of the Stoke Rep Theatre producing a programme of five quality theatrical productions each season with an outstanding history of 100 Years as a leading force in the artistic culture of the area.

About Stoke Rep Theatre

The idea to have a new, purpose-built theatre was created following the destruction of the Empire Theatre in Longton by fire on New Year’s Eve 1992 after plans to purchase this wonderful period property came to an abrupt end. Fund Raising had started by the Rep members in 1991 and the new build project received the help of the Arts Council, a National Lottery grant, the support of the City Council, funds raised by the membership and the generous sponsorship of numerous local companies and businesses.

On November 7th 1997, at a Gala Evening, The Players were proud to open a brand new 250 seat theatre in Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent. It was opened by the guest of honour, the Right Honourable Mark Fisher MP, Minister for The Arts.
The Rep is a Limited Company with charitable status. It is operated and staffed by volunteers and receives no annual funding or grants from National Arts bodies or the City Council.  It continues to be the the home of amateur theatre company, The Stoke on Trent Repertory Players, 2021 marked the Centenary of this group of dedicated performers.

Tips / Information

You may also want to read this:

Review: Cranford at Stoke Repertory Theatre

 Stoke Repertory Theatre Review: All My Sons by Arthur Miller

Review: God of Carnage at Stoke Repertory Theatre

Review: Peter Quilter’s Glorious! at Stoke Repertory Theatre

Review: Hangmen by Martin McDonagh at Stoke Repertory Theatre

Photo Credit: Stoke Rep Theatre

* We were provided with press tickets in exchange for a review. All opinions are our own.