The novels of Charles Dickens have been adapted for the stage over and over again, but one of the earliest adaptations was a two-act version of Nicholas Nickleby first staged at the Adelphi Theatre on November 19, 1838.
O. Smith, who was famous for starring in melodramas, played Newman Noggs, a fine character part, but hardly the show’s lead. Noggs appears in the opening scene, wanting to expose his employer, Ralph Nickleby, but unable to find the courage to do so. Instead, he merely gives a letter to Nicholas, who is being introduced to Mr. Squeers, the proprietor of the aptly named school Dotheboys Hall.
The rest of the first act then proceeds in parallel scenes showing Kate Nickleby at Mantilini’s (spelled Mantalini in the novel) millinery and her brother Nicholas at Dotheboys Hall. This resembles the first half of the novel, which moves back and forth between Kate in London and Nicholas in Yorkshire. In spite of the novel’s title, Kate is given just as much prominence as her brother for much of the narrative, and the scenes with Kate crackle with comedy in the script.
It is the play’s second act that diverges from the book—and with good reason—as Dickens had not yet finished the novel when the play was first performed. Instead of dying, Smike inherits a fortune in the play, and all ends happily.
Back in 2020, I saw a Zoom reading of the play, but it was nice to get hold of the script and read it for myself.
