A guest review by Birgit Bennett 27th January 2026 New Wolsey Theatre Ipswich.
David Copperfield was one of those theatrical offerings where we were not quite sure what to expect. We certainly did not expect to be riveted after the first few scenes. Mesmerised by the talent of the three actors we witnessed on stage and the imagination that had flown into making this a brilliant production.
Louise Beresford and Luke Barton effortlessly swapped personalities and roles, clothes and demeanours. The outfits never left any doubt as to who they were at any point and the utilisation of props was excellent.
Photo Credit: Steve Gregson – Eddy Payne, Luke Barton, Louise Beresford.
Eddy Payne remained David Copperfield throughout but we witnessed his development from child to youngster to family man and he never lost us during the 2 hour performance. All three actors carried this physically demanding play perfectly and stayed in their roles throughout, seemingly effortlessly.
Photo Credit: Steve Gregson- Eddy Payne.
The creative team has outdone itself by creating a stage set that is incredibly simple yet versatile and easy to understand. Small changes transport the audience from location to location and the costumes are beautifully simple yet effective. The music completed the illusions of time and place beautifully.
We laughed, cried and felt for and with the characters, and if Charles Dickens himself had sat with us in the audience I have no doubt that he would have been very pleased and proud.
Photo Credit: Steve Gregson – Eddy Payne, Luke Barton, Louise Beresford.
If you are looking for a really good play that engulfs you for 2 hours, makes you laugh, thoughtful and sad at times, and you want to be amazed by great performances and a good story, which has been reinvented to perfection, then this is for you.
David Copperfield runs at the New Wolsey Theatre until 31st January. For more details and to book tickets visit their website.
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