Dickens’ Tale of Two Cities to premiere at Royal & Derngate

It’s the first of new artistic director James Dacre’s productions to be seen at the venue takes to the Royal stage from February 21.

Dickens considered his novel, A Tale Of Two Cities “the best story I have ever written.” Interweaving one family’s intensely personal drama with the terror and chaos of the French Revolution, it is an epic story of love, sacrifice and redemption amid horrific violence and world changing events.

In an age when governments across the world seem impotent in the face of increasing unrest, this new dramatic adaptation by Mike Poulton (responsible for the superb Hilary Mantel adaptations Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies for the Royal Shakespeare Company), seems more relevant than ever.

Directed by James Dacre with design by Mike Britton (To Sir, With Love, Royal & Derngate, Macbeth, Shakespeare’s Globe), the play includes rousing original music by Oscar-winning composer Rachel Portman (The Cider House Rules, Beloved).

It will feature one of the largest acting companies to ever appear on the Royal stage.

The cast includes Olivier Award-winning actress Abigail McKern (daughter of Leo and co-star in Rumpole of the Bailey) and Oliver Dimsdale (Downton).

The ensemble company of ten will perform alongside a large chorus drawn from the community, to capture the turbulence, anarchy and romance of London and Paris during the tumultuous years of the French revolution.

A Tale Of Two Cities runs from February 21 to March 15. For tickets call the box office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk.