Review of Bleak Expectations
'Bleak Expectations' review — a Dickensian comedy that lacks character
2/5
Read our review of Bleak Expectations, directed by Caroline Leslie, now in performances at the Criterion Theatre through 3 September.
Bleak Expectations Tickets
London
3 May 2023 - 13 Aug 2023
Watch an all-star cast in a comedic take on a Charles Dickens classic.
81
Great
70 Reviews on Show-Score
Bleak Expectations Information
Can Pip Bin save the day? See the hilarious Charles Dickens parody play in the West End. Bleak Expectations tickets are available on London Theatre now.
Mark Evans’s Bleak Expectations — named with a tongue-in-cheek nod to Great Expectations — started out as a Radio 4 drama. A spinoff television series The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff soon followed. The radio comedy centres on Sir Philip (Pip) Bin, a haughty inventor who holds the title of “richest man in England.” As the radio series developed, episodes parodied Victorian science fiction, adventures, and costume dramas. Think Bridgerton meets The War of the Worlds.
The Bleak Expectations play rewinds the clock to focus young Pip Bin. With the help of sisters Pippa and Poppy, Pip must avoid disaster all while escaping Mr. Gently Benevolent. There’s binloads of charm in this twee show, with The Times hailing it “a wickedly inventive parody of Victorian melodrama.” Find out if Pip can get his happy ending, or if he'll be thrown into the trash.
Who is in the Bleak Expectations cast?
The Bleak Expectations cast will include a star guest each week. They will take on the role of Sir Philip “Pip” Bin. During the run, original Bleak Expectations cast member Tom Allen will play the role.
- 4-9 July: Stephen Mangan
- 11-16 July: Hugh Dennis
- 18-23 July: Tom Allen
- 25-30 July: Jack Dee
- 1-6 August: Alexander Armstrong
- 8-13 August: Stephen Fry
Tickets to Bleak Expectations are available now. Book your Bleak Expectations tickets on London Theatre today.
Book tickets to Bleak Expectations, or sign up to receive the latest news and show alerts.
Important Information
We strongly recommend and ask you to wear a face covering during your visit to The Criterion - including during the performance - unless you have an exemption.
Run time
2 hours 15 minutes (inc. interval)
Opening date
May 3rd, 2023
Closing date
August 13th, 2023
Categories
Venue
Age
10+. Guidance on Content: This performance uses prop guns and contains loud noises, haze and at points flashes of light.
Cast and creative
By: Mark Evans Cast list: Nina Wadia, Dermot O’Leary, Sally Philips, Sue Perkins, Julian Clary, Adjoa Andoh, Lee Mack, Stephen Mangan, Hugh Dennis, Tom Allen, Jack Dee, Alexander Armstrong, Stephen Fry, Ben Miller, Nish Kumar, Robert Lindsay, Craig Ferguson, Ashh Blackwood, Shane David-Joseph, J.J. Henry, John Hopkins, Dom Hodson, Serena Manteghi, Marc Pickering, Rachel Summers
Our review
Latest Bleak Expectations News & Features
The pair will play Sir Philip “Pip” Bin for one week each. They join Lee Mack, Sue Perkins, Stephen Fry, and Tom Allen in the 18-strong star guest lineup.
The Charles Dickens parody comedy play will run at the Criterion Theatre this summer, with guest stars including Stephen Fry, Jack Dee, and Jo Brand.