Fans of Charles Dickens will love this charming one-man show performed by Ian Pearce, which he adapted from a short story. An absorbing story, told elegantly and with aplomb.
Broadway Baby 4 Stars

The word “breathtaking” is not too strong a term to describe this performance! Mesmerising, stunning, awe-inspiring: I would also use all these to characterize this unbelievably amazing performance. I was fortunate enough to see the final performance, and literally every single person in the theatre was, at the end, completely hypnotised by this wonderful one-man entertainment. This was one of the truly rare moments in life, when we completely lose ourselves in the story we were told, and leave the theatre better people for the experience. The actor chose an obscure Charles Dickens story, and turned it into something I will never forget. This was a pure five-star show from a performer that is not to be missed.
Daniel Soulia

We absolutely loved this. Ian was totally believable as Dr Marigold, immediately pulling us into the story and making us laugh and cry. A wonderful performance.
Karen Eades

This is a great show for anyone who’s looking for something a touch more high brow this Festival Fringe. It’s a one man show that tackles a meaty Dickensian monologue and injects both touching humility and a lot of humour in the execution – prepare to laugh and cry! It’s amazing how a piece that was written so long ago is still as entertaining to a modern audience today. A big well done to Ian who adapted the script and delivers a fantastic performance – it can’t be easy carrying a one man show!
Helen Adams

This is an absolute gem of a show, storytelling at its most wonderful. I had thought that the actor – Ian Pearce – would just read out the Dickens story, but he actually acts it out. He is brilliant (had me in tears by the end, and I wasn’t the only one). If you want a change of pace, well, treat yourself.
E.M

From the moment Ian Pearce, as the motor-mouthed 19th Century travelling bric-a-brac salesman Dr Marigold, ambles onto the stage, we are hanging on to every word of his engaging banter. Of course the good Doctor is not actually a doctor … but saying more would give too much away. The play is a gripping, funny, and moving tale (as you’d expect from Dickens) beautifully told in a crisp 50 minutes. And Pearce has done a fine job of adapting, letting Dickens’ words shine through and allowing himself as performer to instil them with such vitality. This really is writing to savour. (And I say that having never read any Dickens.) Pearce uses no props except a coat, yet we see every colourful detail of his story as he journeys through the towns and villages of 19th Century England and through the ups and downs of his equally colourful life. This is exactly what good theatre should be: superbly performed storytelling that pulls you in from the first moment, seduces you with its language, raises your spirits with its humour, but then still manages to grip you with scenes of quiet sadness. Charles Dickens, the master storyteller himself, would surely give a nod to Ian Pearce for bringing Dr Marigold so gloriously to life.
Rob Johnson Breathe Out Theatre Manchester

We loved this show. Moving. Brilliantly acted. We were all absolutely gripped from the first moment to the last. Don’t miss this wonderful
piece!
Sarah Matthias

Storytelling at its’ very best. Was totally enthralled and moved to tears. A welcome oasis in the hurly burly of the Fringe. Please support Ian – he is a gem!
Julia Green

What I know of Dickens comes from bits of A Christnas Carol, a couple of songs from Oliver! and BBC costume drama trailers, none of which has enticed me to delve deeper. However, I was persuaded to leave my comfort zone and I’m glad I did. Although the story itself is what I would expect of Dickens (mawkish is the word that comes to mind) the delivery was excellent and kept me gripped throughout. Fantastic show.
P.T

My first Fringe Festival but one of many excellent theater experiences in the UK and on or off Broadway in NYC. I thoroughly enjoyed this performance by Ian Pearce. I certainly wish he could bring this to NYC. A grand mix of humor and moving depictions of a traveling salesman’s life and that of his “daughters
Sandra Latzer

Ian wrote and performed comedy for radio in the Midlands in the 1980s before studying drama at Exeter University. He worked with Turning Point Theatre Company in the South West before forming Adaptable Theatre to tour his own adaptation of Jerome K Jerome’s classic tale Three Men in a Boat . Following the success of this he adapted a lesser known Dickens short story Doctor Marigold’s Prescriptions which received excellent reviews at The Edinburgh Fringe in 2014 and 2015. Ian continues to write for the stage and radio and later this year will launch his second one man show called From Wolverhampton’s Latin Quarter, a comedy about growing up and unrealistic ambition.