Credit: Steve Gregson
I nearly dropped my satchel when this one landed on my route.
Twenty characters. Three actors. Endless mischief. And David Copperfield packing his bags for New York. Honestly, Dickens would’ve needed a stiff cup of tea.
This summer, Guildford Shakespeare Company are hopping across the pond with their whirlwind, suitcase-bursting adaptation of David Copperfield, making its international debut as part of the Brits Off Broadway season at 59E59 Theaters. From Friday 29 May to Sunday 28 June 2026, a whole Victorian universe is being squeezed into one New York stage — and somehow, it all fits.
If you’ve not met GSC before, picture this: three actors who barely leave the stage, juggling more than twenty characters between them using nothing but hats, suitcases, a dash of puppetry and an alarming amount of comic ingenuity. One minute you’re battling the winds of Yarmouth, the next you’re elbow-deep in the bustle of London — all without anyone stopping for a breather. It’s theatrical sleight of hand, and I’m very much here for it.
The production is a high-spirited take on Dickens’ most autobiographical novel, celebrating resilience, reinvention and all those extraordinary people who nudge (or shove) us into becoming who we are. It premiered at London’s Jermyn Street Theatre to glowing reviews, before touring Windsor, Ipswich and Guildford as part of GSC’s 20th Anniversary Season. Quite the birthday victory lap.
New York audiences might already feel a sense of déjà vu. GSC made their sold-out debut at 59E59 Theaters in 2025 with Pride & Prejudice, which went on to be named one of the venue’s Top 5 Shows of the Year. No pressure then — except this time they’ve been invited back, which in theatre-speak is the equivalent of being asked to stay for pudding.
David Copperfield reunites the same creative dream team behind that hit. Adapted and directed by Abigail Pickard Price, the production is produced by GSC co-founders Sarah Gobran and Matt Pinches, alongside their long-standing team. Eddy Payne steps into the shoes (and many emotional milestones) of David Copperfield himself, with Luke Barton and Louise Beresford conjuring the colourful, chaotic world that surrounds him — sometimes all within the same scene. Blink and you’ll miss a transformation.
Speaking about the return to New York, producer and GSC co-founder Sarah Gobran shared her excitement at having a second show performing consecutively as part of the Brits Off Broadway season, especially during the company’s 20th Anniversary Year. After the warm reception Pride & Prejudice received last year, she’s confident New York audiences will fall just as hard for David Copperfield — and honestly, judging by what’s in my satchel, I think she’s right.
So if you find yourself near East 59th Street next summer and spot three actors unpacking half of Dickens from a suitcase, do stop. Some deliveries are very much worth signing for.
www.59e59.org/shows/show-detail/david-copperfield/
Price: $66- $86
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