Barnaby Rudge was the first of Charles Dickens’ two historical novels (the other being The Tale of Two Cities) and arguably his most obscure.
Set during the late eighteenth century, it climaxed at the Gordon Riots – an anti-Catholic protest which quickly spiralled out of control – of 1780.
Between 40,000 and 60,000 protestors nursing various grievances – including the increasing Catholic influence sweeping the country, high taxes, overcrowded cities and repressive laws – ran amok on the streets of London.
The riots raged on for several days until the army could brutally restore order, by which point some 285 people had been shot dead with several hundred more wounded.
Barnaby Rudge (John Wood) is a simple-minded chap, buffeted along by events rather than directly influencing them. But whilst he may be the title character he’s not the central one – Barnaby drifts in and out of the narrative, appearing and disappearing as required.
Locksmith Gabriel Varden (Newton Blick) has an apprentice called Simon Tappertit (Timothy Bateson) who has set his cap at Dolly Varden (Jennifer Daniel).
Simon links up with a group of dissident apprentices who meet in secret and dream of violent disobedience against their oppressive masters.
Several major new characters are introduced halfway through the series – including anti-Catholic agitator Lord George Gordon (Anthony Sharp) – and we proceed on the path to the Gordon Riots.
Barnaby Rudge
John Wood Miss Miggs
Barbara Hicks Gabriel Varden
Newton Blick Hugh
Neil McCarthy Emma Haredale
Eira Heath Dolly Varden
Jennifer Daniel Mrs Varden
Joan Hickson Simon Tappertit
Timothy Bateson Mr Haredale
Peter Williams Mr Edward Chester
Bernard Brown Mrs Rudge
Isabel Dean Mr John Chester
Raymond Huntley Joe Willet
Alan Haywood John Willet
Arthur Brough Mr Gashford
Richard Wordsworth Dennis
Esmond Knight Betsy
Angela Crow John Grueby
Norman Pierce Lord George Gordon
Anthony Sharp
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Set during the late eighteenth century, it climaxed at the Gordon Riots – an anti-Catholic protest which quickly spiralled out of control – of 1780.
