New Dickensian satire in aid of food banks

The cast of a new social satire based on Charles Dickens' classic tales - which includes the son of actor Oliver Reed - are hoping to appeal to the sentiments of his original stories in its premiere performance at the Lantern this week.In his song-cycle, New Dickensian, writer Dean Johnson and Mark Reed (yes, that Reed) asks if we have returned to the bleak bedlam of the author's age. It tells the story of one Ethan Shrewd, a high flying and ruthless stockbroker, and his beleaguered junior partner, single parent Rob Cadgit.With echoes of Oliver Twist's immortal request ‘please sir, may I have some more?’, audience members attending New Dickensian on Thursday (December 10) are being ask to bring along any items of tinned or dried food that they can spare;donations will be passed on by the show to various Wirral food banks, along with items from the performers themselves.Here's a sample of the show:For tickets, call the Lantern's box office on 0151 703 0000 or visit their website.