Charles Dickens's Hard Times Adapted for the Stage

by Stephen Jeffreys

The wide expanse of Dickens' novel on the riches and hardships of the Industrial Revolution is triumphantly brought to life in his skillful adaptation of Hard Times for a cast of four. The nineteen or so main speaking parts are portrayed by two actors and two actresses, each of whom also takes a share of the passages of direct narration; the various interior and exterior settings can be simply but effectively suggested with a minimum of props and furniture.2 women, 2 men

78 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1987

Reviews

[Grace Turner · Rating 3 out of 5]

It seems quite a feat to make such a theatrical story so thoroughly untheatrical. This show needs a truly stellar director. That's all I will say.