The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit

AuthorCharles Dickens adapted byDavid Penrose

Charles Dickens (1812 - 1870)

Author of the original novel on which this play was based, Charles Dickens was born in Portsmouth and was lucky enough to be sent to school at the age of nine. This was for only a short time, however, as his father was imprisoned for debt soon after. He began his literary career as a journalist, becoming parliamentary journalist for The Morning Chronicle in 1833. In April 1836, he married Catherine Hogarth and within the same month came the publication of the highly successful 'Pickwick Papers'.

His written works include over a dozen major novels, a large number of short stories, a handful of plays, and several non-fiction books. He also published an autobiography, edited weekly periodicals and administered charitable organisations. He was also a theatre enthusiast and performed before Queen Victoria in 1851. He had a strong social conscience and wanted to bring to public notice the injustice he saw all around him. Much of Dickens' work is incisive commentary which exposes the reality of the harshness of working class life. He spent much time abroad - for example lecturing against slavery in the United States. He was estranged from his wife in 1858 after the birth of their ten children, but maintained relations with his mistress, the actress Ellen Ternan. After he died of a stroke, he was buried at Westminster Abbey.

David Penrose (b 1950)

David Penrose is an amateur actor, designer, director and writer with Bench Theatre, where he has been a member since 1976.

David penned his first writing, revue sketches, at Leeds University when he was an under-graduate. Apart from these, most of his writing has been adaptations for the stage of extant work. In 1980 he adapted 'The Brothers' and 'The Merchant', originally written by Plautus, both of which were staged by Bench Theatre in the open air at Fishbourne Roman Palace. He has adapted Martin Chuzzlewit (also performed by The Bench), compiled the 1981 musical revue 'The Only Way to Cross' and (together with Dik Bird) adapted the Bench production of 'A Frankenstein' which was taken to the Edinburgh Fridge Festival in 1982.

David's creative flair has been employed many times with Bench Theatre where he has been responsible for countless poster and set designs and he has occupied committee roles on many occasions - notably as Chair for five years - during his membership. As an actor, David's first Bench role was as Orlando in Ingrid Corrigan's production of 'As You Like It' in 1977. He appears regularly in Bench plays and reviews of his performances are consistently outstanding. He has won numerous acting awards including The News 'Guide' Awards and an All-England Theatre Festival Award. His directorial debut with Bench Theatre was 'The Philanthropist' in 1978. David was instrumental in the formation of the annual Havant Literary Festival in 2008 and continues to work with its organisation. He is also part of 'The News' theatre review team and his reviews of local productions appear regularly in print. David is currently Bench Archivist and lives in Havant with his wife Jacquie.