Dickens on Stage > 1858 Reading Tour
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Charles Dickens' 1858 Reading Tour of Britain
Eighty-seven readings in England, Scotland, and Ireland
Map of Dickens' 1858 Reading Tour of Britain
Charles Dickens had performed his works in public before, but only for charity. Beginning in 1858 he began a series of readings that would take him all over Britain, this time for profit. His friend John Forster had warned him that an author reading his novels for pay would cheapen his work, Dickens disagreed (Forster, 1899, v. 2, p. 246). The 1858 tour began with a series of 16 readings in London from April 29 to July 22.
In addition to the popular Christmas Books, selections from Pickwick Papers (The Trial from Pickwick), Dombey and Son (Paul Dombey), and Martin Chuzzlewit (Mrs Gamp) made up Dickens' repertoire.
On August 1, 1858 Dickens and his team: Manager Arthur Smith, Mr Smith's assistant Mr Berry, Dickens' personal servant John Thompson, and Mr Boycett, serving as gas man to manage the lighting, left London for Clifton where Dickens performed The Chimes on August 2. These readings continued for a grueling three months ending on November 13 in Plymouth. A total of 87 readings netting Dickens over £3,000 (Slater, 2009, p. 466).
Dickens Justifies the Readings, One-Two-Three
Before beginning A Cricket on the Hearth at the first reading in London on April 29 Dickens addressed the audience with these words:
Ladies and Gentlemen,—It may, perhaps, beknown to you that, for a few years past I have been accustomed occasionally to read some of my shorter books to various audiences, in aid of a variety of good objects, and at some charge to myself both in time and money. It having at length become impossible in any reason to comply with these always accumulating demands, I have had definitely to choose between now and then reading on my own account as one of my recognised occupations, or not reading at all. I have had little or no difficulty in deciding on the former course.
The reasons that have led me to it—besides the consideration that it necessitates no departure what-ever from the chosen pursuits of my life—are three-fold. Firstly, I have satisfied myself that it can involve no possible compromise of the credit and independence of literature. Secondly, I have long held the opinion, and have long acted on the opinion, that in these times whatever brings a public man and his public face to face, on terms of mutual con-fidence and respect, is a good thing. Thirdly, I have had a pretty large experience of the interest my hearers are so generous as to take in these occa-sions, and of the delight they give to me, as a tried means of strengthening those relations, I may almost say of personal friendship, which it is my great privilege and pride, as it is my great responsibility, to hold with a multitude of persons who will never hear my voice, or see my face. Thus it is that I come, quite naturally, to be here among you at this time. And thus it is that I proceed to read this little book, quite as composedly as I might proceed to write it, or to publish it in any other way (Kent, 1872, p. 57-59).
