St Albans Company of Ten set for Dickens

David Copperfield

SETS at Company of Ten productions are frequently so good that they generate spontaneous applause when the curtains go up.

But the set team had a special challenge for the St Albans drama group's next production of David Copperfield with the Peggotty's house which Dickens described as made from "a superannuated boat."

Undeterred, they came up with this solution designed by Judith Goodban, built by Vivian Meazza and the workshop crew and painted by Diana Penton which amounts to a real work of art in its own right.

David Copperfield opens at the Abbey Theatre tomorrow (Friday) and runs until next Saturday, May 22. Tickets can be obtained by calling the box office on 01727 857861 or go to www.abbeytheatre.org.uk

Thursday night's charity performance of David Copperfield will help to raise money for Freddie's Fighting Fund, the campaign for life-saving treatment for seven-year-old Freddie Rowe-Crowder from Wheathampstead.

The Mayor's charity, the Citizens Advice Bureau, is the main beneficiary of the charity evening but has agreed that Freddie's Fighting Fund should have £5 out of the £10 ticket price.

Tickets can be purchased on the door for most nights of the production.