Jack Maggs single work   drama  
Adaptation of Jack Maggs Peter Carey , 1997 single work novel
Issue Details: First known date: 2024... 2024 Jack Maggs
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AbstractHistoryArchive Description

'You’re a dead man if they find you.

'Step back in time to 19th-century London, where intrigue and mystery mix in the world premiere of Jack Maggs. Peter Carey’s best-selling and Miles Franklin Award-winning “reworking” of Charles Dickens’ canonical novel Great ExpectationsJack Maggs comes alive on stage in a sweeping new adaptation by South Australian playwright Samuel Adamson, renowned for his successes at England’s National Theatre with Southwark Fair and The Light Princess with Tori Amos.

'The story follows the enigmatic ex-convict Jack Maggs (Carey’s version of Magwitch) returning to London from Australia and embarking on a relentless quest to find his ‘son’ Henry Phipps, who has mysteriously disappeared. Maggs soon becomes entangled in the web of Phipps’ neighbour, Percy Buckle and his bizarre household, where he makes a deal with young novelist and “mesmerist” Tobias Oates (or is it Charles Dickens himself?) to find Phipps. Oates has other plans though, and in Maggs, might just find the perfect inspiration for his new novel.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

Production Details

  • Presented by State Theatre Company of South Australia, in association with Adelaide Festival Centre (world premiere), at Dunstan Playhouse, Adelaide Festival Centre, 15-30 November 2024.

    Director: Geordie Brookman.

    Set and Costume Designer: Ailsa Paterson.

    Composer: Hilary Kleinig.

    Sound Designer: Andrew Howard.

    Cast: Ahunim Abebe, Jacqy Philips, Mark Saturno, and James Smith.

Publication Details of Only Known VersionEarliest 2 Known Versions of

Works about this Work

Theatre Review : Jack Maggs, Adelaide Festival Centre Peter Burdon , 2024 single work review
— Appears in: ArtsHub , November 2024;

— Review of Jack Maggs Samuel Adamson , 2024 single work drama

'Based on the novel by Peter Carey, this production is a fine new work in the Australian theatrical canon.' 

A New Stage Adaptation of Peter Carey’s Jack Maggs Is a Delightful Homage to Theatrical Storytelling Catherine Campbell , 2024 single work review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 21 November 2024;

— Review of Jack Maggs Samuel Adamson , 2024 single work drama

'Jack Maggs is a delight and a homage to theatrical storytelling in Australia.'

A New Stage Adaptation of Peter Carey’s Jack Maggs Is a Delightful Homage to Theatrical Storytelling Catherine Campbell , 2024 single work review
— Appears in: The Conversation , 21 November 2024;

— Review of Jack Maggs Samuel Adamson , 2024 single work drama

'Jack Maggs is a delight and a homage to theatrical storytelling in Australia.'

Theatre Review : Jack Maggs, Adelaide Festival Centre Peter Burdon , 2024 single work review
— Appears in: ArtsHub , November 2024;

— Review of Jack Maggs Samuel Adamson , 2024 single work drama

'Based on the novel by Peter Carey, this production is a fine new work in the Australian theatrical canon.' 

Last amended 24 Oct 2023 13:10:39
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