Eddie Izzard, a Tony nominee for her performance in the 2003 revival of A Day in the Death of Joe Egg, plays 21 characters in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, which officially opens December 15.
Adapted for the stage by Mark Izzard, the classic tale of convicts, mystery, friendship, rivalry, unrequited love, revenge, and redemption began previews at Off-Broadway's The Greenwich House Theater December 9. Directed by Selina Cadell, the show has been extended to February 11, 2023.
Said Izzard in an earlier statement, “Charles Dickens loved performing his own works in America, and so I thought it would be a wonderful idea to launch Great Expectations here. I always feel at home in New York, and I believe if Charles Dickens were alive today, he would feel at home, too.”
Cadell added, “I find the combination of Eddie Izzard’s idiosyncratic wit and Charles Dickens’ ingenious storytelling irresistible and am looking forward to sharing it with New York audiences.”
The production also has a set by Tom Piper, lighting by Tyler Elich/Lightswitch Inc., costume styling by Piper and Libby da Costa, and movement direction by Didi Hopkins.
Izzard’s Broadway credits include A Day in the Death of Joe Egg and Race, while her London stage credits include The Cryptogram, Edward II, 900 Oneonta, and Joe Egg. Izzard is currently developing a one-woman performance of Hamlet. Her film credits include Victoria & Abdul, Valkyrie, Ocean’s Twelve, Ocean’s Thirteen, Across the Universe, Mystery Men, Shadow of the Vampire, The Cat’s Meow, and Six Minutes to Midnight.
Izzard isn't the only artist going the solo Dickens route this season. Tony winner Jefferson Mays' one-person version of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, co-adapted by Mays with director Michael Arden and Susan Lyons, currently plays Broadway's Nederlander Theatre.
Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations is produced by WestBeth Entertainment and Mick Perrin Worldwide.
Visit EddieIzzardGreatExpectations.com.
Eddie Izzard
Eddie Izzard
Mark Izzard and Eddie Izzard
Mark Izzard and Eddie Izzard
Selina Cadell and Eddie Izzard
Selina Cadell and Eddie Izzard
Selina Cadell, Eddie Izzard, and Mark Izzard
