Barnaby Rudge

Adapted by Michael Voysey, Dickens' first 'historical' novel is set around 1775, and inevitably draws parallels with the better known A Tale of Two Cities. Poor naive Barnaby is caught up in the religious bigotry sweeping the nation as a wave of anti-Papist sentiment (the Gordon Riots) is exploited by cynical politicians for their own ends. One of Dickens' most political works, it is a hymn to the importance of tolerance and society's duty to protect the vulnerable. With limited resources, director Morris Barry captures the epic nature of the work, ably abetted by a fine cast.