Bleak Expectations
By Mark Evans
15 – 19 DECEMBER 2026 at 7.45pm at the Old Court Theatre.
ABOUT
A story Charles Dickens might have written after drinking too much gin…
Follow half-orphan Pip’s extraordinary exploits with sisters Pippa and Poppy, and his best friend Harry Biscuit, as they attempt to escape the calculating clutches of the dastardly Mr Gently Benevolent, defeat the hideous Hardthrasher siblings, and deflect disaster at every turn! Will evil be vanquished by virtue … Can love triumph over hate … Can a baguette make an effective sword … ?
AUDITIONS
The play combines period details with a sense of the absurd, immaculately polished puns and jokes. It’s a very fast paced play and delivery is key in keeping that flow going as to not lose the comedy!
Cast:
Pip Bin – playing age 30s – lead role
Pippa Bin – 30s
Poppy Bin / Ripely Fecund – double up role – 30s
Harry Biscuit / Skinflint Parsimonious – double up role – 30s
Thomas Bin / Bakewell Havertwich / Broadly Fecund – 40+ – Double up roles
Gently Benevolent – 50s – villain
Agnes Bin / Floria Dies-Early – 30s – double up role, small but will have more to do
Sir Phillip Bin – narrator – 50s
The Headthrashers – 4 characters – 40s to 50s.
(Ages are a very rough guide. The Bin siblings and Harry should be around the same age, but play themselves from childhood to adulthood)
The cast will also play at various times:
Boys
Crutch person
Man
Woman
and the hand of Lily!
Rehearsal days are Mon / Weds 7.30pm – 9.30pm and Sunday 10am -1pm
Dates
Monday the 14th / Weds 16th of September 7.30pm – Nothing to prepare but you may be asked to act out some sections, as well as read.
Show run is Tuesday 15th December to Sat 19th December – Tech will be be Sunday 13th, Dress 14th and Get Out Sun 20th.
Please make sure you are available for all these dates before auditioning!
Any other information required regarding roles or auditions please message the Director Iain Holding-Sutton at Iansutton@myyahoo.com
Standard Tickets are £15.09, Concessions* £12.94 including booking fee. Available online via our Ticketsource page or by calling Ticketsource on 0333 666 3366.
Please note that our ticket prices remain the same, but new legislation requires the booking fee to be included in the listed price.
Tickets are also available on the door at the Old Court Theatre from 30 minutes prior to the performance (cash and card payments accepted.)
*Concessions apply to under 18s and over 65s, (Tues – Thurs only) unemployed and students with a valid student ID.
For queries regarding your booking, or to make exchanges, please email our Booking Manager on: bookings@ctw.org.uk If your plans change, you can exchange your booking to another date up to 24 hours before the event through this link.
For directions, parking and other information about your visit to the Old Court, visit our Theatre Info page.