DICKENS' WOMEN
) ) Photo: Prudence Upton |
Developed by Miriam Margolyes and Sonia Fraser Performed by Miriam Margolyes Directed by Sonia Fraser at Concert Chamber - Town Hall, THE EDGE, Auckland From 28 Nov 2007 to 2 Dec 2007 Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch From 4 Dec 2007 to 5 Dec 2007 Opera House, Wellington From 7 Dec 2007 to 9 Dec 2007 Theatre Royal, Nelson From 8 May 2012 to 9 May 2012 Regent Theatre, Dunedin 16 May 2012 Reviewed by: Nik Smythe; Laurie Atkinson (The Dominion Post); John Smythe; Lynn Freeman (Capital Times); Gail Tresidder; Terry MacTavish; |
Award-winning British actress Miriam Margolyes brings her acclaimed show Dickens' Women to New Zealand in November and December.
Dickens' Women takes audiences on a trip into history, through the lives of the women in Charles Dickens' life - real and fiction.
Miriam Margolyes is acknowledged as one of the most knowledgeable and brilliant interpreters of Charles Dickens and her wonderful sense of humour shines as she traces the startling similarities of the women in Dickens' work and his life.
"I have been a great admirer of Dickens, a passionate admirer, all my life and I love to share my relish in his humour and variety and vitality," Miriam says. "I love the contrast between the goodness of the prose and the badness of the man. His daughter once said 'he was a very wicked man' and no-one seems to know that but they will after they see my show."
Miriam created Dickens' Women18 years ago for a season at Edinburgh Festival and has since toured it around the world including seasons in the United States, India and Israel. The West End season in the Duke of York Theatre earned her an Olivier Award nomination. This will be the first time she has brought the show to New Zealand, following a three month Australian tour which has been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike.
In the show Miriam brings to life 23 different characters (male and female) including many old favourites: The Old Curiosity Shop's Little Nell, loyal Mrs Micawber from David Copperfield (inspired by Dickens' own mother) and the cold embittered Miss Havisham from Great Expectations.
Acclaimed on stage and screen, Miriam won an LA Critics Circle Award for her role as Flora Finching in the film of Little Dorrit and has become a firm favourite with filmgoers in a range of roles including Professor Sprout in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Mrs Mingott in Martin Scorcese's The Age of Innocence (which won her a BAFTA), Ladies in Lavender, Being Julia, Babe and Happy Feet.
Most memorable TV credits include Old Flames, Freud, Life and Loves of a She Devil, Blackadder, The Girls of Slender Means, Oliver Twist, The History Man, Vanity Fair, Supply & Demand. She was Franny in the CBS sitcom, Frannie's Turn and the Miss Marple episode, Murder at the Vicarage.
She is the presenter of the popular BBC documentary series Dickens in America and most recently played Madam Morrible in the hit West End musical Wicked.
In 2002, Her Majesty The Queen awarded her the Order of the British Empire for Services to Drama.
Miriam Margolyes in Dickens' Women is at:
- the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE® from November 28 to December 2 as part of THE EDGE® International Arts Season;
- the Isaac Theatre Royal in Christchurch on December 4 and 5, and
- The Opera House, Wellington from December 7-9.
Book at Ticketek on 0800 TICKETEK or www.ticketek.co.nz. For more information visit www.dickenswomen.com.au
2012 TOUR
Hamilton
May 2
Clarence Street Theatre
ON SALE SOON
Auckland
May 4-6
Bruce Mason Centre
ON SALE FEB 7 @ TICKETMASTER
Nelson
May 8 & 9
Theatre Royal
ON SALE NOW
Christchurch
May 12
Aurora Centre
ON SALE Fri 10 Feb
Oamaru
May 15
Opera House
ON SALE SOON
Dunedin
May 16
Regent Theatre
ON SALE SOON
Wellington
May 18 & 19
Opera House
ON SALE SOON
Palmerston North
May 22
Regent on Broadway
ON SALE SOON
Hastings
May 24
Hawkes Bay Opera House
ON SALE FEB 7
New Plymouth
May 26
TSB Theatre
ON SALE FEB 7 @ TICKETMASTER
Pianist: John Martin