ABSTRACT
After World War II there was a period of energetic revivification of Dickens on the stage, on the radio and later in television in both the UK and the USA, and since for once Great Expectations was not left behind this had a remarkable effect on its status by mid-century. The BBC first adapted Great Expectations for TV in 1959. It is described by Giddings and Selby as 'one of the best early BBC television serials', and they quote adaptor P. D. Cummins defending her creative decisions in terms of keeping the serial 'faithful to the spirit of Dickens'. By comparison with even the most recent TV adaptations, most professional stage versions have been energetic in their creative reconstruction of 'Dickensian essence', drawing very different things out of the novel; ever since Guinness, Great Expectations for playwrights has meant the opportunity to take liberties.
