GREAT EXPECTATIONS Closes at the Vaudeville Theatre Today

Great Expectations closes at the Vaudeville Theatre today, 30 March 2013, two months earlier than its original run date.

Bruce Athol MacKinnon, on behalf of the Production Company Beckman Unicorn, said: "It is with great sadness that Great Expectations has closed earlier than planned. The current financial climate has made producing independently in the commercial sector even harder despite our 90% audience approval rating.

"The critically acclaimed National Tour in Autumn 2012 allowed the full-scale production to be seen by audiences from Southampton to Aberdeen, and the arrival of Great Expectations in the West End for the first time as a full-length play, and at the culmination of the Dickens bi-centenary celebrations, was achieved only with the extraordinary support of a group of private investors - none of whom had previously invested in theatre.

"The production continues its reach with over 780 screenings across the United States from 21 March, allowing a new audience to engage with the West End experience. Beyond that, we distribute to Hong Kong, Croatia, South Africa, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium, Italy and Germany."

The full cast for Great Expectations is Jack Ellis (Jaggers), Chris Ellison (Magwitch), Paula Wilcox (Miss Havisham), Paul Nivison (Adult Pip), Taylor Jay-Davies (Young Pip), Grace Rowe (Estella), Katy Allen (Camilla Pocket), Josh Elwell (Joe Gargery/Servant), Gareth Glen (Bentley Drummle/Cousin Raymond), Isabelle Joss (Mrs Joe/Sarah Pocket/Molly), Suzanne Robertson (Biddy), James Vaughan (Wopsle/Wemmick) and Rhys Warrington (Herbert Pocket).

Great Expectations is directed by Graham McLaren, with set by Robin Peoples, costumes by Annie Gosney and Graham McLaren, lighting by Kai Fischer, original music by Simon Slater and sound by Matt McKenzie. Giovanni Bedin, Head Couturier for House of Worth, has worked with Annie Gosney on the creation of Estella's couture gowns for the show. Charles Frederick Worth, the world's first official couturier, was a contemporary of Charles Dickens.

Great Expectations is produced by Bruce Athol MacKinnon on behalf of Beckman Unicorn Ltd & Satis House Productions Ltd. For more information, go to www.greatexpectationstheplay.com.