David Copperfield, East Anglian Daily Times

If anyone can conjure the magic of one of Charles Dickens' finest stories from a handful of props and a brass bed on wheels, Eastern Angles can.

This is one of the cleverest adaptations you are likely to see, capturing all the humour and tragedy of the novel.

It is a fitting subject for this local professional company.   Dickens, who loved the East Anglian coast, sets much of the story in Suffolk - where David is born - and Great Yarmouth, where his childhood companion Emily lives in a large up-turned boat on the beach. The North Sea, too, plays a vital part in the tale's bitterly ironic climax.   The story follows David's progress from unloved, impoverished child to affluent young man. He is still seeking love, but blind to where it can most obviously be found, with his boss's daughter, the patient dependable Agnes. Along the way we encounter many of Dickens's most memorable characters.   Each one is brought to life by a talented cast of eight, all of whom play at least two characters.

Carl Prekopp makes a handsome, likeable David, and Susanna Northern is touching as the loyal Agnes. Graham O'Mara is doubly villainous as the cringing Uriah Heep and the upper-class bounder Steerforth.   Jon Atkins is Micawber, famously waiting for something to turn up, to a T. Janet Jefferies is Aunt Betsy, a scary lady with a heart of gold.   Claire Vousden doubles as a warm-hearted Peggoty and a doting Mrs Micawber.   Sean Buckley is a delightfully zany Mr Dick. Emma Jerrold is striking as both betrayed Emily and the hopelessly dizzy Dora Spenlove.

Not to be outdone by the actors, the versatile brass bed is ingeniously transformed into a school room, a ship, a horse-drawn carriage and a prison cell. The combination of Alastair Cording's skilful adaptation and Ivan Cutting's inventive direction make this truly spellbinding entertainment.

You will laugh and probably shed a tear too.   But you will also be delighted by the talents of this excellent company.

James Hayward