Interview with Luke Barton, David Copperfield
Conducted by Penny for Theatre and Tonic
From the team behind the theatre’s 2024 production of Pride and Prejudice, this year, the Jermyn Street Theatre will stage their adaptation of David Copperfield over the festive period. Adapted and directed by Abigail Pickard Price, this coming-of-age adventure promises to be a delightful romp stuffed with Victorian charm and timeless wit. We caught up with Luke Barton, who stars in the show, to find out more.
What’s David Copperfield about?
David Copperfield is Charles Dickens’ most autobiographical work. It follows the life of our protagonist David from the moment of his birth, all the way through his challenging childhood and adolescence, as he moves into his adult life and becomes a celebrated writer, like Dickens, and finally a husband and father. It’s a story of personal growth, discovery, maturing from childhood to becoming your own person, and the wonderful (and not so wonderful) people you meet along the way who help you in that journey. The story is adult David looking back over his life, and pondering what he has been through, where he started and where he has ended, all the while reflecting on the different versions of himself he has been over the course of his life. Ultimately, are you able to create your own destiny?
How did you get involved in this production?
I was part of Guildford Shakespeare Company’s 2024 production of Pride and Prejudice which had a run at Jermyn Street Theatre last summer, as well as a stint in New York. So, I had worked with the company on a three-actor version of a classical text before in Abigail’s wonderfully playful and original style. So when they very kindly asked if I would like be a part of this production, I naturally said yes!
You are playing a number of roles. How do you jump between the different characters?
Yes, I think 9 or so in this production! Well, our movement director, Amy Lawrence, has been extremely helpful is helping us explore the different physicalities of our characters and the subtle shifts that can help us move quickly from one character to the next. We consider how our character moves through space, where their energy and focus is, what their pace and rhythm might be, what part of their body they lead with etc. I also find costume a really helpful way of ‘feeling’ like the different characters I play. The feeling of a mop cap, for Peggotty for example, the cane of Mr Creakle, the slightly worn and pre-loved jacket of Mr Micawber all help me to sit and breathe inside a character quickly.
Which character from David Copperfield would you invite for Christmas dinner and why?
I think it would have to be Mr Dick. He’s rather eccentric, but a sweet and generous man, and I think would bring a lot of charm and fun to a Christmas dinner. As long as he didn’t start talking about King Charles I having his head cut off. That might put people off their turkey.
And which one would definitely be on Santa’s “naughty list”?
Oh, well it would absolutely be Uriah Heep! Without giving anything away, let’s just say, he’s not quite as ‘umble as he makes out! Mr Murdstone too! He deserves nothing but a lump of coal in his stocking.
Is there character from another Dickens novel you’d like to play?
I would absolutely love to play Alfred Jingle from The Pickwick Papers. He’s a strolling actor, and something of a charming trickster who can get other people into all sorts of trouble, while never being caught out as the culprit himself. So, he is a man after my own heart really. I love the devilish good fun of him. And the way he speaks is hilarious:
"Heads, heads - take care of your heads", cried the loquacious stranger as they came out under the low archway which in those days formed the entrance to the coachyard. "Terrible place – dangerous work – other day – five children – mother – tall lady, eating sandwiches – forgot the arch – crash – knock – children look round – mother's head off – sandwich in her hand – no mouth to put it in – shocking, shocking.”
It would be a gift of a part!
Apart from being in a show, what’s your favourite thing about the festive season?
Well, I love Christmas! Being a Londoner, it’s a lovely festive treat getting to spend the season working in my home city at this time of year. Being close to family and friends. Being so close to Oxford Street, Regent Street and the Christmas lights. And, Die Hard. The best Christmas film ever made. I can’t wait to watch it.
Why should people come and see David Copperfield?
Well Christmas and Dickens obviously go together like turkey and sprouts. Dickens created much of what we think of as the feel and mood of Christmas. Although David Copperfield is not a Christmas story, this is still quintessential Dickens: big, luminous characters, a heart-warming story, a protagonist that you’re rooting for from the beginning. This is going to be a fresh and original take on a classic Dickens tale in the hands of Abigail and the whole creative team. It will be funny, bold, exciting and celebrate the wonderful world of Charles Dickens. So, if you know the story, come along and see us bring those magical characters and moments to life in a thrilling new way. If you’ve never read the book before, I’m positive you’ll be asking Santa for a copy after you’ve seen our version!
David Copperfield plays at the Jermyn Street Theatre from 20 November to 20 December 2025
