Charles Dickens' Great Expectations script in Wisbech

July 29, 2024

Wisbech and Fenland Museum Two pages of the original manuscript in illegible handwriting. Great Expectations and Chapter 1 can be made out at the top of one page, stamped with Wisbech Museum

Wisbech and Fenland MuseumThe beginning of the novel, as narrated by Pip, and (right) a boxed-in and crossed-out section reveals changes made by Dickens to the novel's ending

The manuscript of Charles Dickens' Great Expectations is to go on display to tie-in with a new TV adaptation.

The original 1861 text, in the author's "spidery" handwriting, spends most of its time in the vault at Wisbech and Fenland Museum in Cambridgeshire.

It will go on show to mark the start of a BBC drama with Olivia Colman.

"The public can come and see the real thing in its sealed case and marvel at Dickens' many changes and crossings out," said curator Robert Bell.

Dickens' handwriting had a tendency to slope towards the bottom right of the page and the ending of the novel has been boxed in and scratched out.

The museum said this showed how he changed the plot after advice from a friend, to make the ending more ambiguous.

BBC/FX Networks/Pari Dukovic A grim-faced Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham, dressed in a dark or dirty cream silk gown and headdress. Sitting by her is Ffion Whitehead as Pip n a brown jacket and Shalom Brune-Franklin, as Estella, in a dark red silk gown. They are in front of a fireplace in a dimly lit room with foliage on the walls and a grandfather clock in the corner. All three are facing the camera

BBC/FX Networks/Pari DukovicMiss Havisham (Olivia Colman), Pip (Fionn Whitehead) and Estella (Shalom Brune-Franklin) in the new adaptation of Great Expectations

"The manuscript is a priceless document and quite fragile so we try to avoid handling it too much, and when it is put on display it is carefully protected," added Mr Bell.

Dickens had bound the manuscript and given it to his friend, the Rev Chauncy Hare Townshend, who bequeathed it to the museum, along with other treasures, in 1868.

It will be on display, along with other Dickens-related manuscripts and books, from Wednesday, 29 March to Saturday, 8 April.

Great Expectations begins on BBC One on Sunday, 26 March at 21:00 BST.

Find BBC News: East of England on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. If you have a story suggestion email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk

BBC in other languagesInnovation

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7o67CZ5qopV%2Bjsri%2Fjq6iZp2enLmiusNmmpqlkqe2pbPErJ%2BiqpVig3WFl3Foa2g%3D