Great Expectations – Character Close-Ups

We get up close and personal with the characters of one of Charles Dickens’ greatest novels now made into a musical by YMT.

Showing at the Rose Theatre, Kingston this August, Great Expectations is the classic coming-of-age tale of social class, empire and ambition – and just in case you don’t know the central characters or the storyline, Heather Welsh gives you a quick rundown of who’s who!

Pip

“Come gather around and hear the tale that’s unfolding of one boy with Great Expectations. His Christian name Philip, his surname was Pirrup but call him Pip”. The central character, Pip is an orphan and portrayed as both a child and a young man. It is his growth and coming-of-age that brings together the plot and provides the introduction of all the other characters too. Throughout his childhood, Pip dreamed of becoming a blacksmith but gives up that dream to move to London and become a gentleman.

Mrs Gargery

Pip's fiery tempered adult sister, Mrs Gargery raises him after their parents' death but frequently complains of the burden of raising Pip. Her husband's journeyman Orlick attacks her, and she is left disabled until her death.

Joe Gargery

Joe is Pip's brother-in-law and his first father figure. He’s a blacksmith and very kind to Pip who is always honest with him. Joe is disappointed when Pip decided to leave his home and travel to London to become a gentleman rather than be a blacksmith.

Miss Havisham

An elderly spinster, wealthy Miss Havisham is overcome with desire for revenge on her jilted lover who left her at the altar several years before. She takes on Pip as a friend and so Pip suspects she is his sponsor.

Estella

Estella is Miss Havisham's adopted daughter who Pip pursues throughout the tale. She’s the daughter of Molly, Jaggers's housekeeper, and Abel Magwitch, Pip's benefactor, however she doesn’t know this. Estella was given up for adoption to Miss Havisham after her mother, Molly, is tried for murder. Miss Havisham ruins her ability to love so she can’t return Pip's affection. She warns him of this over and over, but he doesn’t believe her.

Herbert Pocket

Herbert is Matthew pocket’s son, Miss Havisham’s presumed heir and Pip’s tutor in the “gentlemanly” arts. He shares his apartment with Pip in London and becomes his good friend.

Mr Jaggers

A prominent London lawyer who represents Pip’s benefactor and Miss Havisham, his law practice links many of the characters.

Magwitch

A convict who escaped from a prison ship, Abel Magwitch uses the aliases Provis and Mr Campbell to protect his identity. He treats Pip very kindly and is in fact his patron. Pip pretends Magwitch is his uncle in order to further protect his identity.

Great Expectations is showing at Rose Theatre, Kingston from 29 August – 1 September 2013 at 7:30pm (Matinees Thursday & Saturday at 2:30pm and Sunday at 3pm) www.rosetheatrekingston.org. Box Office: 08444821556.