One of the reasons that Dickens remains so popular is that many of the social and economic issues that he highlighted remain so pertinent in our society. While standards of living, access to healthcare and life expectancy have all improved vastly since the 19th century, our papers are still filled with stories of lives destroyed by reckless gambling, loan sharks or families with young children living in poverty. The Old Curiosity Shop has all of these things, and is no less tragic than any such story.The Old Curiosity Shop tells the story of orphan Nell Trent, known as 'Little Nell'. She and her grandfather run the titular shop, but the grandfather is badly in debt through gambling: he had hoped to provide Nell with a good inheritance, but has ended up at the mercy of deformed moneylender Daniel Quilp. After the grandfather suffers a breakdown, the pair flee London to Shropshire, where they make a living as beggars while numerous parties try to hunt them down...Brian Percival is no stranger to period drama, having enjoyed great success with North & South and received acclaim for his adaptation of The Ruby in the Smoke, starring Billie Piper and future Doctor Who Matt Smith. His solid compositions and steady hand behind the camera allow him to get the very best out of his cast. The stand-out is the still-underrated Toby Jones, who conveys as much menace here as he later would in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy. Derek Jacobi also turns in a fine performance as Nell's grandfather, atoning for his subsequent involvement in the risible Charles Dickens's England.
Freelance copywriter, film buff, community radio presenter. Former host of The Movie Hour podcast (http://www.lionheartradio.com/ and click 'Interviews'), currently presenting on Phonic FM in Exeter (http://www.phonic.fm/). Other loves include theatre, music and test cricket.
