By Charles Dickens
Adapted and Directed by Jonathan Holloway
Designed by Neil Irish
Music by Jon Nicholl
TOURED 2001 – 2002
2001: Nicholas Nickleby 
2001: Nicholas Nickleby
“Brilliant…Holloway’s fine seven strong company lead us through Dickens’ complex story with immense understanding and passion…a brilliant tribute to a great novelist”
The Scotsman
Red Shift’s production of Nicholas Nickleby brought fresh life to a familiar classic confirming the company’s reputation for stunning literary adaptations and rediscovering the punch that made Dickens famous both as a master storyteller and a ground-breaking social commentator.
Relocated to the 1950’s, at a time when British society was revealing its darkest secrets, this powerful story focused on the exploits and adventures of Nicholas who, with his mother and sister, is left destitute after his father’s death. Setting out to rescue his family from misfortune our hero soon finds himself locked into a dangerous conflict with his uncle, Ralph Nickleby, who we see decline into villainy, intent on taking his family with him.
Dickens created in Nicholas Nickleby some of his most memorable characters including the Crummles’ farcical theatrical company, the pathetic and vulnerable Smike, the archetypally wicked Sir Mulberry Hawk and the mindlessly cruel Wackford Squeers, the infamous headmaster of Dotheboys Hall.
An inventive, exciting and intellectually satisfying retelling of a classic story with dramatic drive and a sharp contemporary resonance.
Published by Samuel French
Also directed by Jonathan with students of GSA/Surrey University 2012
Jonathan Holloway 