Gerald Charles Dickens, the actor and great-great-grandson of Charles Dickens, returns to Winterthur for performances from two of the author’s most haunting readings, “Sikes and Nancy” and “The Tale of Captain Murderer.”
Dickens’ recreation of Sikes and Nancy is Victorian theatre at its most dramatic. Throughout the 1860s Charles Dickens gave a series of readings from his novels and his repertoire featured performances that involved safe, well-known and often comic passages from his novels. In 1869 he introduced Sikes and Nancy to his program. When Dickens performed what he called ‘The Murder’ he judged the success of the evening by the number of ladies who had fainted with horror. Today it has lost none of its power.
Where did Charles get his love for the macabre? Possibly it was from his childhood nurse who would regale him with the gruesome story, ‘The Tale of Captain Murderer’. At age six, young Charles delighted in the awful and bloodthirsty tale.
Performances take place at 1:00 and 6:00 pm. Performance only: $25; $20 for Members; $10 for children under 12. Performance and general admission: $35; $20 for Members; $18 for children under 12.
Register for the 6:00 pm performance.
Register for the 1:00 pm performance.
Gerald Charles Dickens will return to Winterthur on December 11 and 12 to perform A Christmas Carol Live.