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Little Dorrit

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Little Dorrit

By: Charles Dickens
Narrated by: Ian McKellen, Kenneth Cranham, Sophie Thompson, Margaret Tyzack, full cast
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About this listen

 Hailed by George Bernard Shaw as Dicken's "masterpiece among masterpieces" for its social indictment and sense of humanity, Little Dorrit is both an examination of Victorian England and a surprising love story.

This BBC Radio 4 dramatisation recreates the author's mid-19th Century London, in particular the East London area of Marshalsea. Drawing upon his own father's imprisonment in Marshalsea Debtors' Prison, Dickens placed the institution firmly in the heart of the novel when telling the story of Amy Dorrit.

The youngest child of debtor William Dorrit, Amy is born in Marshalsea prison. She and her father are befriended by Arthur Clennam, whose mother employs "little Dorrit" as a seamstress. The fortunes of the Dorrits undergo an extreme change when William inherits a fortune, and the family moves to Italy.

Back in England, Arthur Clennam finds himself the victim of a massive fraud and ends up in Marshalsea. There he is found by Little Dorrit, whose fortune has had no effect on her generosity and humility. Arthur realises that she loves him, but it is not until the Dorrit fortune is lost that the two of them can be united at last.

Peopled with Dickens' usual host of memorable characters, the author's mix of satire and genuine sentiment has made this one of his best-loved works.

Public Domain (P)2008 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd Audio Performances & Dramatisations Classics Dramatisations Entertainment & Performing Arts England Witty

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All stars
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This is an abridged dramatisation, with certain characters left out, but still extremely enjoyable.

Absolutely Brilliant

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Have listened to this at least three times over the years. Great atmospherics due to recording on location. Great diction.

Love it

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Little Dorrit is one of those little treasure's a pure piece of professional theatre at the press of a button. Four hours forty mins of pure delight.

We are given Victorian theatre by a full cast who live up to Dickens characters with aplomb. You can feel each one. The story moves along nicely & all is excellent. Narrator to over speak the story as characters
live their roles.

I have all of these Dickens productions in my Collection & each one is a credit in themselves. I doubt we shall have such a wonderful set for a long while. Classic actors in classic Dickens.

Excellent Full Cast One Hundred Percent

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Not much to say really, I’m sure everyone knows the story. Whoever played Dorrit has a very nice voice and the performance of Mrs Clennam was brilliant!

Nice little story

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This dramatisation is good and it made a change to listen to a abridged drama rather than the full on unabridged version. The sound effects bring the story to life.

Worth a go

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A very good job was done in terms of script, music and cast! As good as a film!

Dramatised Masterpiece

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Love Little Dorrit but this dramatisation is showing it's age. Pedestrian cut. Studio effects. "BBC" voices RPing along. Disappointing.

old fashioned and pedestrian adaptation of a class

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