Expectations by Jennifer O'Grady

Selected for Short+Sweet Sydney and other productions

(Short) Novelist Charles Dickens and his wife Kate Dickens speak about the legal separation Dickens initiated after twenty-two years of marriage and nine children—narratives that differ substantially from each other. A play about power and women's lives. (Written for 365 Women a Year)
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Expectations

Recommended by

  • John Minigan:
    2 Dec. 2023
    “ This play is devastating in its power, its simplicity, and its strength. As her first line says, Kate is not known to us, but she should be. Kudos to O'Grady for giving her a clear and heartbreaking voice, and for showing a side of a "great man" too few know. ”
  • Morey Norkin:
    28 Feb. 2023
    “ I had the pleasure of recently seeing a Zoom production of this excellent piece. Now reading it, I again marvel how this seemingly simple structure so perfectly tells this little known, heartbreaking story. Charles Dickens was no Bob Cratchett. Far from it. How sad for Kate Dickens. Thank you, Jennifer O’Grady for bringing this story to life! ”
  • Claudia Haas:
    9 Feb. 2023
    “ O’Grady has a gift for making history come alive in the present. Expectations does that and beautifully. Set in the past but could be today, it is yet another example of the power that men yield and what women do to survive. Do you think you know Charles Dickens? Think again. ”
View all 17 recommendations

Character Information

  • Catherine "Kate" Dickens
    Mid-40s., Array
    Wife of novelist Charles Dickens.
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Female
  • Charles Dickens
    Late 40s., Array
    Well-known novelist
    Can be played by:
    • Age: 
      Any age
    • Race/Ethnicity: 
      Any race/ethnicity
    • Gender: 
      Male

Development History

  • Reading
    ,
    The Rum Diaries Presents (Glasgow, Scotland)
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    Fractured Time Productions (UK)
    ,
    2020
  • Reading
    ,
    Caravan Productions (UK)
    ,
    2020

Production History

  • Professional
    ,
    PlayZoomers
    ,
    2023
  • Professional
    ,
    Rainy Day Artistic Collective
    ,
    2022
  • Professional
    ,
    Short + Sweet Sydney (Australia)
    ,
    2021
  • Professional
    ,
    Valley Players (CA)
    ,
    2021

Awards

Shortlist
,
Short + Sweet Dubai
,
2022
Shortlist
,
Short + Sweet Dubai
,
2021
Selection
,
(production)
,
Short + Sweet Sydney
,
2021
Selection
,
Ladies Briefs
,
Valley Players
,
2021
Shortlist
,
Pint-sized Plays 2020