THIS stage version of Charles Dickens' novel is like watching one of those old BBC Sunday teatime classic serials - it's well-crafted, nicely acted and just a little bit dull.

Adaptor and director Giles Havergal has skilfully turned the book into a piece of theatre that skips quickly enough over a running time of nearly three hours.

Simon Higlett's magnificent set is economical and simple, providing an arena on which the characters David encounters can do their turns. Oh look, there's Mr Micawber and dear Peggotty, and isn't that creepy Uriah Heep?

A bunch of urchins run on and off with props as Gerry Jenkinson's lighting and Richard Taylor's score add to the ever-changing atmosphere as David walks along life's highway until he finds happiness under a starry sky.

Overseeing his story is the adult David Copperfield (Rupert Frazer), reacting with joy, sorrow and horror as events from his past are played out in front of him.

The supporting players in his life are not the grotesques they're sometimes made out to be. There's an air of reality about Tristram Wymark's horrid stepfather/teacher, Ellen Sheean's Betsy Trotwood, Gregory Fox-Murphy's caddish Steerforth and Saskia Butler's dumb blonde Dora.

Holding it all together centre stage is Mark Rice-Oxley's beautifully-played young David Copperfield, an immensely likeable performance from his first baby wail to supreme happiness at finding his true love.

* Runs until May 28. Tickets 0113-213 7700.

Published: 09/05/2005