Dr Marigold and Mr Chops are two short stories written and performed by Charles Dickens and this week they are being performed by Simon Callow at the Theatre Royal in Bath.
In the first story Callow plays Magsman, a showman in a freak show. Magsman tells of the curious people around such as the Fat Lady of Norfolk, a Red Indian, a spotted baby and a dwarf called Mr Chops.
After winning the lottery Mr Chops decides to leave the travelling show but after a while returns realising he was better off with his friends in the show. The warmth of the relationship between Magsman and Mr Chops was portrayed to perfection by Callow.
The second story tells of Dr Marigold, a hawker who travels the country selling his wares from his horse and cart. The hawker, having lost his wife and child, adopts a hearing and speech impaired girl. Callow shows the emotional ups and downs of the pair's lives as the girl goes to school and then moves away to form her own life with her own family. He draws the audience into the characters portrayed by Dr Marigold with enthusiasm and vigour, pulling at the emotions. With laughter and tears he talks of the life of Dr Marigold, a brilliant performance.
Dr Marigold and Mr Chops performed by Simon Callow runs until October 15 at the Theatre Royal in Bath.
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