Charles Dickens' Reader's Theater: Escape from the Blacking House

Escape from the Blacking House” depicts the childhood of Charles Dickens. Based on thorough research, it reveals how the perilous trials of his youth—the poor house, child labor, and abandonment—inspired many of the novels for which he became famous. The play borrows from Dickens’ actual works such as The Pickwick Papers, Sketches by Boz, and Oliver Twist. It includes parts for 9 to 13 actors and numerous non-speaking extras. Because of the heavy reliance on dialect and language, hallmarks of a Dickens’ text, this is a challenging play. A strong fourth grade group might be able to handle it, but it’s aimed at 5th through 8th. It comes with two comprehension activities, answer keys, and teacher notes. It's suitable for reader’s theater, podcast, radio drama, or full stage production, and can be nicely paired with my other Dickens' plays: "A Christmas Carol", "Gabriel Grub", and "Pip and the Prisoner," all available in my store. Thanks!