The Second Floor > Charles and Catherine's Bedroom
An Overview of The Bedroom
The former bedroom of Charles and Catherine contains five display cases, each with their own theme. The different themes are how Dickens prepared for the shows, Dickens's life on and off the stage, the readings, the audience, and others who have done Dickens readings. The display cases contain reading editions made by Dickens for use at the shows, letters Dickens wrote, photographs, articles and other items.
Upon entering the room, the wall to the right has a display containing many items concerning the readings, such as tickets, advertisements and reviews. There is also a display with news clippings and items from other people who have performed Dickens readings on this wall.
Above the fireplace is a map showing all the stops Dickens made on the reading tours throughout the British Isles. To the left of that is a railway lantern from the 1800s, and photographs of a railway station and locomotive from the 1800s.
To the left of the fireplace is a montage of images showing the effects the readings had on Dickens. The demands of traveling and the intensity of his life-style adversely affected him and he was often exhausted after performances. To the right of the fireplace is a montage of images showing the different expressions people had while in attendance at a Dickens reading.
On the small section of wall in between the windows are two portraits of Dickens performing in 1858. One shows Dickens in a high, closed stance and hidden by the desk. Dickens did not like this desk and designed his own which he looks more comfortable at in the second portrait. On the left window is a drawing of Dickens performing at his last public reading in 1870.
The wall containing the door contains three different displays. The one closest to the door has a pencil drawing of Dickens reading The Chimes, a print showing him reading David Copperfield, and several cartoons depicting the guises he adopted during the readings. The display in the middle of this wall is about the great international walking match. It contains a cartoon of Dickens participating in the event and a narrative detailing the event. The display closest to the window is a drawing which shows New Yorkers queuing up to buy tickets for a Dickens reading. The demand for seats was always immense even from the beginning of Dickens's career but the frenzy over the New York sale was unbelievable.
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