Christmas at Dingley Dell by Charles Dickens

**** This programme was suggested by Sean Herring as part of BBC Radio 4 Extra’s All Request Christmas ****

On 23 December 1827 Mr Pickwick and his manservant Sam Weller set out with his friends, Mr Tupman, Mr Snodgrass and Mr Winkle upon a journey to Dingley Dell.

There, as guests of Mr Wardle, they were to enjoy the festivities of a good old-fashioned Christmas.

Starring David March and Nigel Graham.

Adapted from "The Pickwick Papers" and "Christmas Stories" of Charles Dickens by Constance Cox.

Characters in the stories are impersonated by certain of our revellers:

Mr Pickwick .... David March
Charles Dickens, the narrator .... Nigel Graham
Sam Weller .... James Bryce
Mr Tupman .... John Bott
Mr Snodgrass .... Geoffrey Edwards
Mr Winkle .... Nicholas Courtney
Mr Wardle .... Michael Bilton
Old Mrs Wardle .... Sheila Grant
Miss Rachel .... Ellen McIntosh
Miss Emily ..... Eileen Tully
Miss Isabella .... Helen Atkinson-Wood
Miss Arabella Allen .... Maggie McCarthy
Mr G. Trundle .... Mark Rolston
Joe (the fat boy) .... Stuart Organ
Benjamin Allen .... Peter Wickham
Bob Sawyer .... Steve Hodson
Emma / Mrs Pratchett .... Carole Boyd

SOMEBODY'S LUGGAGE:

Christopher .... Bob Sawyer
Mrs Pratchett .... Emma
Miss Martin .... Miss Isabella
Mistress of the George .... Miss Rachel
A Young Man .... Benjamin Allen
A Gentleman .... Mr Winkle

THE BAGMAN'S STORY:

Tom Smart .... Sam Weller
The Widow .... Mrs Wardle
The Chair .... Mr Wardle

Music arranged by Chris Marshal.

Violinist: Ruth Ehrlich
Violinist: Andrew Walton
Harpist: Skaila Kanca

Director: David Johnston

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 1983.

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