Macready! Dickens’ Theatrical Friend
Venue: The Corn Hall
Date: Friday 23rd May 2025
Show Time: 7.30pm
Ticket cost: £18.00 (adult) £10.00 (under 16)*
Run time: 95 mins with a 15 minute interval
MACREADY! DICKENS' THEATRICAL FRIEND
This highly-acclaimed solo play - written and performed by Mark Stratford - tells the compelling story of the great Victorian actor-manager, Macready - the man to whom Charles Dickens dedicated his novel "Nicholas Nickleby."
A must for drama fans, this remarkable true tale captures the sheer joy, graft and tribulations of a life lived in theatre.
It's a glorious tribute to a theatrical pioneer!
With passion, humour, emotion, and an array of characters, Stratford takes us on a journey through the fascinating world of Victorian theatre and the extraordinary, yet conflicted life of Macready, from his first tentative steps on stage in a tatty country theatre to his final ever performance at the mighty Drury Lane!
"A fascinating play about the life and loves of Macready ★★★★★ Theatre & Arts Reviews
"Stratford gives a polished, confident and relaxed performance. He knows his character inside out...This doesn’t feel like acting...it feels as if we are hearing from the man himself" ★★★★★ Theatre & Tonic
"A wonderful example of a fascinating subject beautifully brought to life by an amazing writer/actor" ★★★★ London Theatre 1
"Effortless storytelling…compelling and charming" HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SHOW FringeReview
“One not to be missed…Stratford’s remarkable ability to tell Macready’s story and create characters brings it all to life” ★★★★ Broadway Baby
“An entertaining, informative and impressive production… Stratford’s account of Macready’s life whizzes by in the company of one remarkable actor sharing the story of another” ★★★★ Fairy Powered Productions
“An entertaining portrait…a timeless story of struggle, perseverance and sacrifice in making a living from one’s art” British Theatre Guide
“What a performance! Mark Stratford truly becomes Macready” Southwark News
“A fascinating show which brings Macready to life” ★★★★ Reviewsgate
Recommended for ages 12+
Accessibility
If you have access requirements, please contact the Box Office on 01379 652241 (between 10am to 4pm Monday to Saturday) to complete your booking. This allows us to ensure that your visit is as comfortable as possible. We have a limit on how many wheelchair spaces we can safely accommodate so these need to be reserved in advance.
Support The Corn Hall
As a charity we rely on donations to help cover the cost of delivering our programme of exhibitions, events, our community activities such as our Dementia Café, Arts Award, Saturday Club, Tots Tuesdays, Start With Art, as well as supporting our core costs. We ask you to support The Corn Hall with a donation, so that we can continue to be a creative community hub for Diss. Whatever the donation, anything from £1 to £10,000, is support that The Corn Hall didn't have until you very kindly gave it to us. We offer you a very warm thank you.
*not including booking fees.
