'Nicholas Nickleby' premieres today

Tonight 25 actors will assume the roles of more than 150 characters to perform one of Charles Dickens’ longest masterpieces.

PlayMakers Repertory Company’s production of “Nicholas Nickleby” opens tonight in the Paul Green Theatre in the Center for Dramatic Art.

The play is David Edgar’s adaptation of Dickens’ serial novel, the collected episodes of which span more than 850 pages. 

Because the play is nearly seven hours long it has been divided into two parts that will be performed in rotation. Part One begins tonight and Part Two will premiere Nov. 18.

Theatergoers who are unfamiliar with the novel should not be deterred. 

“It’s a simple, clear story despite its length,” said co-director Tom Quaintance. 

“It’s about a family that loses everything. Nicholas is charged with finding a way in a world where the economy is pitiless.”

Some find the plot takes a backseat to the character development and setting.

“It’s less about the plot than the story’s tapestry as Nicholas travels through worlds and meets extraordinary characters,” said Joseph Haj, co-director of the play.

Similarly, theatergoers should not be dissuaded if they cannot see both of the play’s parts or must see them out of order, as part two will begin with a recap of part one.

Unlike “A Christmas Carol” or other works by Dickens, “Nicholas Nickleby” has not been performed extensively. This grants the artists greater control of the production. 

“It’s very freeing,” Haj said. “Few people have preconceived notions about ‘Nicholas Nickleby.’”

The novel’s stage adaptation won Edgar’s critical acclaim and the 1982 Tony Award for Best Play.

“The more time I spend on the play the more admiring I become of the adaptation,” said Ray Dooley, who plays Nicholas’ antagonistic Uncle Ralph.

While the length of the novel creates logistical challenges—such as requiring two rooms for rehearsal—it also provides opportunities for the performers.

“I’ve never been around a production with this many people working so hard,” Quaintance said.

The company has worked to create a production that is an entertaining introduction to theater and the literature of Dickens.

“You don’t have to be a theatergoer or a Dickens fan to have a really great time,” Dooley said.

Contact the Arts Editor at artsdesk@unc.edu.