Essentially the story of an ageing degenerate gambler whose reckless wagers and unrelenting dependence - both physically and emotionally - upon his devoted 14-year-old Granddaughter, leads directly to her untimely death. And yet, he's somehow portrayed as a sympathetic character... The acting in this adaptation of Dickens' work is variable to say the least, but director Thomas Bentley does at least find some Dickensian-looking character actors to fill the cast. Hay Petrie is fun as the malign Mr. Quilp, and Elaine Benson looks suitably angelic as Little Nell.
Review of The Old Curiosity Shop
