Young Charles Dickens Tickets

Charles Dickens is known for his classic novels such as "Oliver Twist," "A Tale of Two Cities," and "Great Expectations." However, many people are unaware that Dickens wrote plays, including some that were produced on Broadway in the late 19th century.

During his younger years, before turning to novel writing, Dickens was heavily involved in the theater scene. In fact, at the age of 21, he began to write plays and sketches for various performance venues in London.

One of his earliest successful productions was "The Strange Gentleman," a short play that premiered in 1836. The play focused on the misadventures of a gentleman who is mugged and left with no memory of who he is or where he came from. Sadly, despite its initial success, the play was never performed on Broadway.

In 1838, Dickens continued his work in theater by collaborating with playwright Edward Bulwer-Lytton on a stage adaptation of his novel "Nicholas Nickleby." The play was an epic production, lasting nearly eight hours in total with two intervals. It was a groundbreaking moment in British theater, and eventually led to a successful Broadway run in 1981.

In addition to his work on "Nicholas Nickleby," Dickens also penned several Christmas-themed plays. These plays, such as "The Cricket on the Hearth" and "The Chimes," were hugely popular during the holiday season and helped to establish Dickens' reputation as a master storyteller.

Despite his success in the theater world, however, Dicken's true calling turned out to be novel writing. His debut novel, "The Pickwick Papers," was published in 1837 and quickly became a literary sensation. From then on, he would focus all of his creative energies on writing novels and short stories.

Even so, Dickens' legacy lived on in the theater through the many adaptations and productions that continue to be performed to this day. His influence on modern theater is still evident, with many productions seeking to recreate his vivid characters and richly imagined worlds.

In conclusion, while Charles Dickens may be best known for his classic novels, his work in the theater world also left an indelible mark. From his earliest days as a young playwright, Dickens demonstrated his gift for storytelling that would eventually make him one of the most beloved writers of all time.