Theatrical Dickens

Growing up, Dickens devised theatrical shows to entertain his friends and family, using his ever-expressive face to extract laughter and applause. His friend John Forster describes how ‘He told a story offhand so well, and sang small comic songs so especially well.’ 

In 1832 he secured an audition at Covent Garden Theatre but missed it due to a heavy cold. He intended to apply again the following season, but by then was established as a parliamentary reporter and journalist. In 1836, Dickens wrote and produced a comic opera, The Village Coquettes. A farce, The Strange Gentleman, followed and whilst Dickens later said ‘I wouldn't repeat them for a thousand pounds’ the theatrical remained vital to his life and work. 

Dickens continued to act in amateur dramatics as well as writing, producing and adapting his own and others’ work for theatre. As his novels were published, they too appeared in theatres, sometimes before Dickens had completed them.

This exhibition has been generously funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, The Dickens Fellowship and The Circles of Art. A special thanks to National Lottery players. 

Image taken by Lewis Bush, 2025. This image is provided under Creative Commons License 4.0 until 1 April 2031, made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund.