Dickens of London

Love

60 min

In New York City, Dickens meets an ardent admirer, a Miss Baldwin, who reminds him of someone from his youth. As a young man, Charles was involved in amateur theatricals and was writing, drawing on his own experiences for the latter. Charles has also taken an interest in Maria Beadnell, one of several daughters to a well-known banker. In fact, he's fallen madly in love with her and has taken to writing her poetry.

Success

60 min

In 1835, Dickens is working as a journalist and publishing stories wherever and whenever he can. He's still in love with Maria but she seems to think less of him. Dickens drowns his sorrows at the ale house and falls into the arms of local prostitute Desdemona. Although under a pseudonym, Dickens begins to gather a following. His first book nets £150, much to his spendthrift father's joy. The money doesn't last long, however, as the elder Dickens is once again arrested.

Fame

60 min

Dickens proposes to Catherine, which she happily accepts. Kate, however, is frightened by the prospect of marriage and also with her new husband's determination. Dickens has his first great success with his serialisation of 'The Pickwick Papers'. Sales are not as expected and he has issues with the illustrator. With an advance on the first two stories, Dickens sets out to furnish his new home.

Money

60 min

Dickens is doing quite well with a new illustrator for 'The Pickwick Papers', which is proving a great success. Meanwhile, Kate is pregnant, expecting their first child. A dream about an orphan boy leads Dickens to write 'Oliver Twist'. He researches the subject thoroughly, visiting prisons and following a jailer's suggestion that such boys are often pickpockets. In many ways, it reminds him of his own youth.

Possession

60 min

Dickens grows ncreasingly concerned at Catherine's deteriorating mental condition. Meanwhile, he continues his flirtation with sister-in-law Mary, spending hours together. With his ever-growing success, Dickens rents a new 12-room London townhouse with a large garden. Unbeknownst to everyone, Mary is seriously ill.

Dreams

60 min

In New York, Dickens is invited to a sportsman's dinner, one of many such invitations that he regularly receives. He recalls a time when, as still a young man, he sorely grieved the loss of sister-in-law Mary, whom he loved very dearly. He continues to produce novels, including 'Oliver Twist' but begins to fear for his health and seeks the world-weary Dr. Elliotson to take out an insurance policy.

Magic

60 min

Charles is acting very strangely and his friends are worried, as he claims to be in love with Queen Victoria, upset that she is marrying a German; he even threatens to leave England. He wants to buy back his his copyright to 'Oliver Twist', seemingly prepared to pay a hefty sum to do so. The serialisation of 'The Old Curiosity Shop' is a huge success, with the death of the protagonist, Little Nell, capturing the imagination of the nation, leaving many a grown man in tears.

Nightmare

60 min

Dickens recalls his first visit to the United States in 1842, where he met Edgar Allan Poe. Kate, psychologically fragile as she is, accompanied him though she isn't having much fun. Dickens and Poe find much to discuss and share stories over wine.

Angel

60 min

Dickens recalls an 1842 trip to Montreal, where he and Kate performed onstage. Their return is a joyous one and they are happily reunited with their many children. As well, Kate is again pregnant, and Dickens takes an interest in Kate's sister Georgina, who Kate hires to help her about the house. Dickens' happiness is short-lived however, when he learns that one of his books has been pirated and widely published abroad with zero compensation.