The Pickwick Papers

1/5/2025

James Hayter is at his theatrical best in this comedy that sees a group of well-meaning men travel the length and breadth of the kingdom trying to report for their "Pickwick Club" many of the interesting things that cross their path. They are led by the eponymous "Samuel" (Hayter) who's an avuncular and kind-spirited man, but are frequently foiled by the rakish "Jingle" (Nigel Patrick) who's unscrupulousness always seems to manage to get the others into trouble. That's not to say that "Pickwick" isn't capable of getting himself into some hot water from time to time either, as his innate decency borders gullibility and that sees him fall foul, ultimately, of the ghastly lawyers "Fogg" (Alan Wheatley) & "Dodson" (D. A. Clarke-Smith). The story hits the ground running and this adaptation bare