GREAT EXPECTATIONS by Charles Dickens, adapted by Jo Clifford

Directed by Ben Twist, designed by Monika Nisbet, Sound Design by David Fennessy, Lighting Design by Elizabeth Powell

 

Byre Theatre, St Andrews 31 January to 9 February 2008

Touring Scotland 11 February to 15 March 2008

 

SYNOPSIS

 

Young Pip is frightened by Magwitch, a runaway convict he meets in a graveyard. Magwitch demands that Pip brings him food and a file to help him escape. Pip does so, although terrified of his domineering sister Mrs Joe and ashamed that he is betraying his adopted father the blacksmith Joe. But Magwitch is caught anyway.

 

Pip is summoned to become a companion to Miss Havisham, a strange old lady who has never left Satis House since the day of her cancelled wedding. Pip falls in love with Estella, Miss Havisham's beautiful adopted daughter, who scorns Pip for being common.

 

Jaggers, a lawyer from London, arrives to tell Pip that he has great expectations and is to be made into a London gentleman with money from an anonymous benefactor who must not be named. Pip goes to Miss Havisham to thank her, then goes to London.

 

In London Pip sees Jaggers at work amongst the sordid criminal life and is taught to be a gentleman by Herbert Pocket. He is patronising to Joe who comes to tell Pip that Miss Havisham wants to see him. Pip visits Satis House. Estella is there, now grown up and sophisticated, and Pip loves her more than ever, although Estella warns him that she has no heart. Estella tells him that Miss Havisham uses her to wreak revenge on all men for being jilted at the altar.

 

Pip comes of age, but Estella is engaged to be married to a cruel boor. She tells Pip she is tired of being used by Miss Havisham. A man comes to Pip's door and tells him that he is Pip's benefactor. Pip is horrified to recognise him as the convict he helped in the graveyard. He accuses Jaggers and Miss Havisham of having misled him. But after Magwitch tells him his story, Pip begins to overcome his horror at his benefactor's common origins. Magwitch is on the run and Pip helps him escape, but Magwitch is captured, his money taken by the police, and sentenced to death. Pip cares for him as he dies in custody.

 

Estella returns to Miss Havisham, broken by her loveless and cruel marriage. Miss Havisham begs for forgiveness for the hurt she has caused her.

 

With Magwitch's money gone, Pip is penniless and in debt. He is rescued by Joe and recognises the behaviour of a true gentleman. He asks Jaggers the truth about Estella and Jaggers tells him how he tried to help her.

 

Pip meets Estella for the last time in Satis House. They are both older now. Estella tells him that she will try to be happy and do good in the world. They part forever.