YOUNG orphan Pip is destined for a humble life as a blacksmith's apprentice.

But events in his early life give him greater expectations: a terrifying encounter with an escaped convict for whom he lies to his family, and meeting the eccentric Miss Havisham and her adopted, icy-hearted daughter Estella.

Dickens was a wordy fellow, famous for writing rather thick books. Where this production instantly succeeds is by overcoming the problem of translating a highly descriptive novel to the stage.

Pip has many thoughts about the situations he finds himself in, and these are voiced by an ever-present chorus on stage who take it in turn to voice these thoughts for him.

Rather than cluttering the stage, as they could have done, the chorus moves fluidly as part of the set, even interacting with the players.

They were also responsible for set-changes, meaning the action was never halted. Indeed it became a certain choreography. Significant characters were also a part of the chorus, being swallowed up and spat out whenever required. Miss Havisham, a wilted bride still in her dress over 20 years after being jilted on her wedding day, is executed with suitable tragedy by Sian Phillips.

Pip is fiercely blind in his ambition to become a gentleman and win Estella's heart, but Samuel Roukin also brings a modest, almost simple quality to his character.

Mr and Mrs Joe were excellent, bringing warmth and humour to the production. But truly, it was an ensemble cast, one which successfully explores the issues of social climbing examined by Dickens. Review by LOUISE BARNSLEY