Charles Dickens’ great-great-grandson is bringing his celebrated ancestor’s masterpiece Great Expectations to Normansfield Theatre this October.

Gerald Dickens, who has won praise from audiences around the world with his theatrical portrayals of his great-great-grandfather’s novels, performs every role in his adaptation of the author’s 13th work.

The intense passion for his ancestor's work began in 1993, when Gerald Dickens was asked to perform a reading of A Christmas Carol and went on to create a one-man show of Nicholas Nickleby, which he performed at the Normansfield Theatre.

The 50-year-old, whose favourite Dickens novel is Great Expectations, says: "I have always loved the book because the hero, Pip, is absolutely flawed.

"You see his development from his traumas as a child to becoming quite an unpleasant individual and it’s such a fantastic journey.

"So many people know and love the book, so my adaptation of it is very faithful to the original novel."

Gerald admits performing every role can be exhausting, but his love of the characters and their distinct traits makes them very fun to play.

He says: "My dad once gave me a great piece of advice; he told me - Charles Dickens has done all the work. The characters are so distinctive and the narrative is so well-timed.

"Some of the character, Mrs Haversham in particular, are so strong and a joy to play."

The novel also has a very local connection, because Stella spends some time in a home in Richmond during the course of the story.

Dickens says: "You could say the story is coming home."

Great Expectations; Normansfield Theatre, Teddington; October 18, 7.30pm; Box office tickets £14-14; 0333 1212300, langdowncentre.org.uk.