To Begin With
The Inspiration: A simple narrative by a great writer, written not for publication, but for his own children. Few even know of this unusual book by Charles Dickens: a retelling of the Gospels, titled at publication (64 years after his death) as The Life of Our Lord.
The Question: Why did he write it? And why did he ask that it not be published?
The Play: Renowned playwright Jeffrey Hatcher’s gorgeous script explores what may have motivated him, including his testy relationship with the pre-adolescent poet-to-be, Algernon Charles Swinburne. The one-man show is a fascinating glimpse into the mind of a great writer through a wonderfully entertaining story.
The Response:
“…a marvelously textured performance…an inspired collaboration.”
–Lisa Brock, Special to the Minneapolis Star Tribune
–Arthur Dorman, www.TalkinBroadway.com
The Film: Development has begun on the expansion of the stage play into a full-length, multi-character feature film, much of it to be filmed on location in the U.K. It is expected to be released in the holiday season of 2020.