Barnaby Rudge

1 9 6 0 (UK)
13 x 30 minute episodes

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