# Nicholas Nickleby (the filmed play) appreciation thread
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicholas-nickleby-the-filmed-play-appreciation-thread/146527
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [January 4, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicholas-nickleby-the-filmed-play-appreciation-thread/146527 "2003-01-04T00:39:42Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicholas-nickleby-the-filmed-play-appreciation-thread/146527/1 "2003-01-04T00:39:42Z")
I just dragged out some of my old tapes of **Nicholas Nickleby** , the 8-1/2 hour London play, filmed in 1981, and it was a treat all over again. I watched this series about six times back then, and it was like old times to watch this _amazing_ ensemble of Royal Shakespeare Company actors. Other than **I, Claudius** , I can’t think of a more excellent production to buy and keep.
Of all the brilliant performances (and there’s not one that is not absolutely stellar), I think my favorite is John Woodvine as Ralph Nickleby. The exposition scene where Newman Noggs blows it all apart for Ralph is astounding, as we watch the emotions of scorn, surprise, shock, grief and then madness play in succession across this actor’s face.
It’s a marvelous work of art. Highly recommended.
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### Author:  [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2003, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicholas-nickleby-the-filmed-play-appreciation-thread/146527/2 "2003-01-04T03:18:04Z")
OMG! I loved that!
I saw Roger Rees (who looks pretty much the same, but much craggier) in the last performance of A MAN OF NO IMPORTANCE at the Lincoln Center theater. Brilliant. Such a complex, sympathetic person he created, and a what a nice character singing voice.
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### Author:  [@Tangent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tangent)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2003, 3:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicholas-nickleby-the-filmed-play-appreciation-thread/146527/3 "2003-01-04T03:24:43Z")
We watched that in high school after reading the book. I loved both the book and the play.
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### Author:  [@Epigramcracker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epigramcracker)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2003, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicholas-nickleby-the-filmed-play-appreciation-thread/146527/4 "2003-01-04T05:32:23Z")
Oh.
My.
God.
Could you have STARTED a thread about something I love MORE? Well, the answer is no. Just so the world knows, Nicholas Nickleby (the book and then the RSC version) _changed my life._ I exaggerate not. I bought the set of 9 VHS tapes after much scrounging on the web when I was first introduced to it; then, this Christmas, all my greatest dreams were realized as Santa brought the play ON DVD!!! Holy lord, there are no words for such happiness.
I’m completely in love with Roger Rees as Nicholas. But I think my Ultimate Hero Award goes to Edward Petherbridge as Newman Noggs. What an amazing actor–his characterization is PERFECT. Simply flawless. I cry at the end when he gets his new suit. A year ago I was actually able to meet him in England–I went on a walking tour of the Theatre District that he led. It was fabulous to the Nth degree.
Anyway, I just have one last thing to say–which is that _THIS_ is the book done RIGHT. I’m so glad the RSC succeeded in their beautiful and monumental endeavor, because (among other reasons) I’ll actually have something to point to when the frightening-looking new version comes out and say, “THIS is how it’s SUPPOSED to be. DON’T LISTEN TO HOLLYWOOD.” All my love to RSC forever.
And no matter what anyone says, Nicholas is _so_ not a blonde.
Yours obediently,
Mrs. Epi Nickleby
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### Author:  [@yosemite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yosemite)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2003, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicholas-nickleby-the-filmed-play-appreciation-thread/146527/5 "2003-01-04T05:38:18Z")
Oh. I loved that. Roger Rees—I’ll always associate him with that play. And John Woodvine? He was in that? I forgot that. I wonder if this version is available on tape or DVD somewhere? Or is that merely wishful thinking?
I remember the day when I saw part of this play. My friend wanted me to do some freebie artwork for her, so I went for a visit for the day. But my condition was that I would be able to see “Nicholas Nickelby” (it was scheduled that day) while I was there. She agreed to this (because she wanted me to do the artwork for her).
But she repeatedly bitched about how and why she didn’t like Dickens. Saying stuff like, “See—_that’s_ why I don’t like Dickens.” as if I would bow to her superior opinion and consent to change the channel. I merely gave her a blank owly look as if to say, “So? Who gives a shit?” and kept on watching. It’s weird. I just remembered that, all these years later.
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### Author:  [@Hazel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hazel)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2003, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicholas-nickleby-the-filmed-play-appreciation-thread/146527/6 "2003-01-04T05:44:16Z")
Yes! It was great! Edward Petherbridge as Newman Noggs! Shakespeare revised! Many other wonderful things!
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### Author:  [@Epigramcracker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epigramcracker)
#### Post date: [January 4, 2003, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nicholas-nickleby-the-filmed-play-appreciation-thread/146527/7 "2003-01-04T05:48:21Z")
> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by yosemitebabe \*
> \*\*Saying stuff like, “See—_that’s_ why I don’t like Dickens.” \*\*
If that’s about stuff like the personality-revealing names and the huge _coincidences_, I have a friend who’s always whining about the same things. It’s terrible–it’s not even a worthwhile fight (their ignorance, of course) but I can’t stop myself from taking the defensive stand. So we have an ongoing Dickens War. The exaggeration, and also the names, are just so wonderfully literary though–they hearken back to everything from Shakespeare to British Restoration comedies; besides, they’re so intrinsically Victorian. Gotta love it.
And yes–I have both the VHS and the DVD–I think if you do a websearch you should get some sort of results. (Sorry, they were both gifts, so I don’t know where specifically they came from, except that they were from online!)
all hail,
-epi