Joy Hunter
4 November, 2024
What's On

Larne Drama Circle says ‘Thank You, Mr Dickens!’

Larne Drama Circle will return to the McNeill Theatre, Larne Leisure Centre from  November 20-24 at 7:30pm with the light-hearted and highly entertaining comedy - ‘Thank You Mister Dickens!’ by Jane Hilliard.

The cast of LDC's 'Thank You, Mr Dickens' with director Jay Alexander

It’s Christmas Eve and the ladies of a down-at-heel London bordello are not looking forward to the festive season.  Business is slow, they are behind with their rent, have no coal for the fire, no food, and they have run out of gin!

‘House of Comfort’ owner, Edna (Dawn Crawford) has invited Sadie (Alison Wylie), a damsel in distress, into their midst.  The ‘poor little rich girl’ is treated very sympathetically by the somewhat downtrodden Mary (Geraldine Scott- Heyes) but sparks soon fly between her and the feisty Clarry (Rosie Williams).

Matters only get worse!  Ma Frinton (Alison McCubbin), their tyrant of a landlady, turns up looking to collect her rent but the coffers are empty.  Mr Hope (Jonathan Temples), a regular customer, brings his own problems.  He’s been beaten up by two renowned thugs Grubber (Fred Gales) and Jake (Owen Sloan) after chatting up the barmaid in the local public house - unfortunately for him, she turned out to be the landlord’s wife!

The ladies of Edna's bordello
The ladies of Edna's bordello Credit: Larne Drama Circle

The arrival of Charles Dickens (Melvyn Goldberger) and his friend Sir William Beaufort (Evan Morrow) appears to offer them some hope.  Mr Dickens is not there to sample the ladies’ delights but has brought with him a purse of gold coins to exchange for some inspiration for his new novel.

Naturally, where money is involved, the ladies are happy to provide as much information as he wants - using all their imagination and a lot of over- exaggeration!

Could he be the answer to their prayers? Not before family secrets have been exposed and true identities revealed with hilarious consequences.  

Watch out for these two! Grubber & Jake are up to something in LDC's production of 'Thank You, Mr Dickens'
Watch out for these two! Grubber & Jake are up to something in LDC's production of 'Thank You, Mr Dickens' Credit: Larne Drama Circle

Will Mr Hope be rescued?  Will Ma Frinton get her rent?  Will Mr Dickens leave with a best seller and do the ladies get the Christmas they have dreamed of?

You’ll just have to go along and see!

Tickets (£10, Cash only please) are on sale from our Box Office at Larne Leisure Centre on Wednesday 13th, Friday 15th & Saturday 16th November 10am - 12noon & 2pm - 4pm and pre-performance Wednesday 20th, Thursday 21st & Friday 22nd November from 6:30pm.

Beaufort and Mr Dickens
Beaufort and Mr Dickens Credit: Larne Drama Circle
Cast and Crew in rehearsal for LDC's 'Thank You, Mr Dickens'
Cast and Crew in rehearsal for LDC's 'Thank You, Mr Dickens' Credit: Larne Drama Circle
LDC's 'Thank You, Mr Dickens' coming to the Mc Neill  Theatre from 20th - 22nd November.
LDC's 'Thank You, Mr Dickens' coming to the Mc Neill Theatre from 20th - 22nd November. Credit: Larne Drama Circle