Full casting and creative team have been announced for the world premiere of Bleak Expectations, a new stage adaptation of the award-winning hit BBC Radio 4 comedy written by Mark Evans, which runs at the Watermill from 27 May-2 July.

The cast includes Rose Basista (Tom’s Midnight Garden, Theatre by the Lake) as Pippa Bin, Colm Gleeson (The Wife of Michael Cleary Songbook, Royal Court Liverpool) as Thomas Bin/Bakewell Havertwitch/Broadly Fecund, J.J. Henry (Rapunzel, The Theatre Chipping Norton) as Harry Biscuit/Mr Parsimonious, Dom Hodson (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, West End) as Pip Bin. Simon Kane (The Busker’s Opera , Park Theatre) as Gently Benevolent, Alicia McKenzie (Small Island, National Theatre) as Agnes Bin/Flora Dies-Early, Nicholas Murchie (Trial by Laughter , The Watermill & Tour)) as Sir Philip Bin, Caitlin Scott (2021 graduate, professional debut) as Poppy Bin/Ripely Fecund, and Dan Tetsell (Lab Rats, BBC2) as The Hardthrashers.

Bleak Expectations is the story that Charles Dickens might have written after drinking too much gin. And, crucially, had lived for another 152 years. Two-time winner of the Best Radio Sitcom award and winner of a Sony Award, Bleak Expectations has captivated audiences and critics alike since its 2007 radio debut.

Hold on tight for a chaotic caper through Dickensian London with young Pip Bin: tragic half orphan, hopeless romantic and would-be-hero.

Follow Pip’s remarkable adventures with sisters Pippa and Poppy and best friend Harry Biscuit as they attempt to escape the scheming clutches of Mr Gently Benevolent, defeat the irrepressible Hardthrasher siblings and avert imminent disaster at every turn. Will evil be vanquished by virtue?

Can love triumph over hate? Well, can it? Immerse yourself in this joyfully anarchic comedy featuring hideous boarding schools, dastardly plans, devilish disguises, pulse-quickening romances, heart-rending death scenes, and definitely a happy ending. 

Directed by Caroline Leslie, the production features design by Kate Lias, lighting by Andrew Exeter, sound by Yvonne Gilbert, movement direction by Heriberto Montalban, and composition by Tom Pigott-Smith.

For more information and to book tickets, please click here.