The Broadstairs Dickens Fellowship

The Broadstairs Dickens Fellowship The Broadstairs Dickens Fellowship started in 1937 and has been going strong ever since. The Fellowship was founded in London in 1902.

DICK & VIC at the Sarah ThorneAnother production that might be of interest. It looks like a fun evening.
16/01/2026

DICK & VIC at the Sarah Thorne

Another production that might be of interest. It looks like a fun evening.

MACREADY AT THE SARAH THORNE THEATRE, FEBRUARY 7thMacready! Dickens' Theatrical FriendWritten & performed by Mark Stratf...
16/01/2026

MACREADY AT THE SARAH THORNE THEATRE, FEBRUARY 7th

Macready! Dickens' Theatrical Friend
Written & performed by Mark Stratford

The remarkable true story of the great Victorian actor-manager, Macready - the man to whom his best friend Charles Dickens dedicated Nicholas Nickleby.

“I wish I were anything rather than an actor – except a critic!”

Despite becoming head of his profession, Macready never wanted to be an actor. Instead, he dreamed of being a barrister and a gentleman. But when his father’s theatre company collapsed, the young Macready had to step in to save it, and found himself unwillingly plunged into the ungentlemanly world of the stage…

Mark Stratford brings his highly-acclaimed show to the Sarah Thorne Theatre. With passion, humour, emotion, and an array of characters and anecdotes, he will take you on a journey through the sheer graft, tribulations and joys of Macready’s life, and the fascinating world of Victorian theatre.

Trailer: https://youtu.be/kwSaJxn-R4E

Age Guide: 12+

Duration: 2 x 40 mins + interval

Press for this production:

★★★★★ "A fascinating play about the life and loves of William Charles Macready" Theatre & Arts Reviews

★★★★★ "Stratford knows his character inside out...This doesn’t feel like acting...it feels as if we are hearing from the man himself" ★★★★★ Theatre & Tonic

★★★★ "...a wonderful example of a fascinating subject beautifully brought to life by an amazing writer/actor" London Theatre 1

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED SHOW "...effortless story-telling, Stratford’s pace driving the narrative seamlessly. It is all compelling and charming" FringeReview

★★★★ "Not to be missed...Stratford’s remarkable ability to tell Macready's story and create characters brings it all to life” Broadway Baby

★★★★ "An entertaining, informative and impressive production... Stratford’s account of Macready’s life whizzes by in the company of one remarkable actor sharing the story of another" (Fairy Powered Productions)

BLEAK HOUSE FARMERS MARKET STARTING AGAINlovely food and drink and delicious coffee in the Havisham & Cratchit tea room.
10/01/2026

BLEAK HOUSE FARMERS MARKET STARTING AGAIN
lovely food and drink and delicious coffee in the Havisham & Cratchit tea room.

DICKENS COFFEE MORNING, THURSDAY 8th Jan, 10amHAVISHAM & CRATCHIT TEA ROOM in Bleak HouseHappy new year everyone. Yes t...
06/01/2026

DICKENS COFFEE MORNING, THURSDAY 8th Jan, 10am
HAVISHAM & CRATCHIT TEA ROOM in Bleak House

Happy new year everyone. Yes the coffee mornings start again for 2026. We’re following the second Thursday of the month so it’s this Thursday!

I’m sure we’ll meet the regulars but all are welcome to join us. The coffee is excellent as are the cakes and sausage rolls, in case you’ve run out of festive foods! Come and hear about our plans for the year, a little different again this year.

I will not be in costume this month as I am still sporting the festive black boot that was given to me for breaking my foot and I want to wear jumpers to ward off the minus degrees we are currently enjoying.

Hope to see you there in the cosiness of the tea room, do come and say hello.

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BROADSTAIRS DICKENS FELLOWSHIPWe hope you all enjoy a fun and relaxing Christmas with family an...
24/12/2025

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE BROADSTAIRS DICKENS FELLOWSHIP

We hope you all enjoy a fun and relaxing Christmas with family and friends, and we wish you a very happy and healthy new year.

CHRISTMAS CAROL AT BLEAK HOUSEWhat a privilege and pleasure it was to perform Christmas Carol at Bleak House in an intim...
19/12/2025

CHRISTMAS CAROL AT BLEAK HOUSE
What a privilege and pleasure it was to perform Christmas Carol at Bleak House in an intimate setting with a very appreciative audience of 25 (sadly losing 6 down with flu). The Prosecco, and particularly superb mince pies, leant a more party atmosphere and thanks to our hostess, Elizabeth, who donated the wine and made no charge on the room, the fellowship is able to make a donation of £200 to the Salvation Army.

It is something we hope can be repeated next year - there really is no better place for this masterly Christmas tale to be told.

Our thanks to Elizabeth and Dean who have been so supportive to the fellowship this year, and our thanks to a lovely audience who came to soak up the atmosphere - and the Prosecco!

Merry Christmas everyone and our very best wishes for a happy new year.

13/12/2025

CHRISTMAS CAROL AT BLEAK HOUSE TODAY 3.30pm

2 seats have become available. Price £10 for the performance, drinks and mince pie afterwards. We are also making a donation to the Salvation Army. If you would like the places please email me on BradARA.tony@gmail.com or reply here. I’ll keep an eye on both.

DICKENS COFFEE MORNING, Bleak House, 10.00am ThursdayHavisham & Cratchit tea rooms in Bleak House, 10.00am. Thursday Dec...
10/12/2025

DICKENS COFFEE MORNING, Bleak House, 10.00am Thursday

Havisham & Cratchit tea rooms in Bleak House, 10.00am. Thursday Dec 11th

Last time this year to take tea and cake at Bleak House with the Dickens Fellowship. Meet up with the usual friends or perhaps meet new friends, all are welcome.

Let’s end the year in a blaze of Christmas glory, with Christmas jumpers, shirts, waistcoats, dresses, socks, hats and if you can get a Dickens Christmas jumper or shirt then you will receive 5 extra housepoints.

I will not be in my usual dress but will be sporting a new addition to my Christmas wardrobe. Come and make merry!!

BLEAK HOUSE FARMERS MARKETIf you’ve not been to the Farmers market yet, it’s well worth a visit. Delicious produce and ...
10/12/2025

BLEAK HOUSE FARMERS MARKET
If you’ve not been to the Farmers market yet, it’s well worth a visit. Delicious produce and where else would you get steaming apple crumble at 11am!

I imagine there will be a lot of Christmas goodies there. Enjoy!

A. CHRISTMAS CAROLThe Dickens Declaimers, below, played to a very appreciative audience at the Pavilion, last Sunday. ...
09/12/2025

A. CHRISTMAS CAROL
The Dickens Declaimers, below, played to a very appreciative audience at the Pavilion, last Sunday. Although numbers were down on last year, in part due to a second performance this coming Saturday at Bleak House (sold out), the audience generously donated £220 to the NSPCC and we would like to thank everyone who made a donation. Merry Christmas!

A CHRISTMAS CAROLToday at the Pavilion, Broadstairs, 3pmIt’s nearly Christmas and this has to be on the list to watch al...
07/12/2025

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Today at the Pavilion, Broadstairs, 3pm
It’s nearly Christmas and this has to be on the list to watch along with those lovely old films. Please join us for the tale of old Scrooge and his journey from the Dark Side. Free entry with cash donations invited for the NSPCC.

Fellowship Meeting, DecemberWhat a great end to the year, again in our new home at Bleak House with our delightful hoste...
04/12/2025

Fellowship Meeting, December
What a great end to the year, again in our new home at Bleak House with our delightful hostess, Elizabeth.

The evening started by confirming the new committee and then we were pleased to welcome Peter, the Chair of the trustees of Cheerful Sparrows. Peter was presented with a donation of £300 from the Dickens Murder Mystery event in October, and gave a short talk on the origins and history of the Cheerful Sparrows charity and the vital work they do to support disadvantaged families in Thanet. The Fellowship has supported Cheerful Sparrows for some years with monies raised from the Dickens Declaimers performances. Cheerful Sparrows was once a nationwide charity, but now it is believed that the Thanet branch is the last one left celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Should you wish to know more their website is cheerfulsparrows.org.uk.

The main part of the evening was given over to Mrs Beeton who, with help from her friend and her housemaid, recounted her own short but eventful history leading to the publication of her Book of Household Management. We were then treated to a glass of Smoking Bishop with a delicious mince pie. Our thanks to Ann, Tessa and Louise.

All in all it was a perfect way to end the year and we look forward to the new year beginning with the first meeting on TUESDAY February 3rd - yes the Fellowship meeting days are now the first Tuesday of the month.

Although the Fellowship meetings are finished for the year there are three other events still to come before Christmas

A Christmas Carol at the Pavilion Sunday Dec 7th. (Free entry)
A Christmas Carol at Bleak House Saturday Dec 13th. (Sold out)
Dickens Coffee morning at Bleak House. Thursday Dec 11th

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