Acclaimed play based on Dickens’ greatest work premieres on March 23 at Fisher Theatre

Sedona AZ (March 11, 2013) – For the first time the UK’s favorite Dickens novel — “Great Expectations” — is presented in London’s West End and will be shown to cinema audiences across the globe. The Sedona International Film Festival is proud to be the Northern Arizona host to the premiere event.

“Great Expectations”, from the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End, debuts in Sedona on Saturday, March 23 when the Film Festival hosts the big screen premiere in high definition on the big screen. There will be two shows: 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. at the festival’s Mary D. Fisher Theatre.

“Great Expectations” is — according to a recent Guardian poll — the most popular novel by Charles Dickens – one of the English language’s greatest and most prolific writers. Explored by TV, the cinema, a musical and numerous theatre adaptations since its original publication 150 years ago, the story has, amazingly, never been presented as a full-length play in London’s West End or on Broadway.

Graham McLaren revisited Jo Clifford’s popular adaptation, directing a stunning new production at Perth Theatre in 1996. Since then, Clifford has made additions to the script to flesh out some characters even further; the design and sound have been expanded and, with newly commissioned music and a cast of 13, we look forward to an epic theatre experience for West End audiences.

Graham Maclaren’s ‘outstanding’ ‘haunting’ and ‘utterly brilliant’ production brings some of the most memorable characters ever created to life. The beautiful, chilling Estella, the terrifying convict Magwitch, the manipulative Jaggers, the tragic and mysterious Miss Havisham, and Pip looking back on his young self — a boy with “great expectations.” This momentous event is the culmination of the international Dickens bicentenary celebrations and follows the play’s highly acclaimed UK tour.

Captured live in stunning high definition from the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End on its gala opening night, the production will include red carpet and exclusive behind the scenes exclusively for the cinema audience.

“Great Expectations” will be shown at the Mary D. Fisher Theatre on one day only: Saturday, March 23 at 4:00 and 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15, or $12.50 for Film Festival members. Tickets are available in advance at the Sedona International Film Festival office or by calling 282-1177. Both the theatre and film festival office are located at 2030 W. Hwy. 89A, in West Sedona. For more information, visit: www.SedonaFilmFestival.org.