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London. Tavistock House. 1851. It shaped Charles Dickens\u2019 life and career.

Home to The Smallest Theatre in the World, Mrs Weldon\u2019s Orphanage and an alluring French lodger called Charles Gounod, Tavistock House is reputable for having been the home of three eccentric creatives - the Mancunian painter Frank Stone, the world\u2019s most famous writer and actor Charles Dickens, and Victorian England\u2019s notorious amateur soprano and litigant, Georgina Weldon.

Within its walls lies a story of personal passion and chaos colliding with extraordinary creativity. Until it was destroyed in 1901.

With the staircase creaking after dark and smog pouring in through every chink and keyhole, Ben Gernon guides us through this remarkable house, revealing what the walls hold and uncovering its unusual tenants.

Alex Jennings leads a cast in this docudrama as we join the Dickens theatre company at rehearsals for their festive production of Wilkie Collins\u2019 The Frozen Deep. We eavesdrop on Mr and Mrs Weldon\u2019s crumbling marriage; witness Charles Gounod furiously composing in the upstairs bedroom with welcome interruptions from Georgina Weldon; and Catherine Dickens shares her story from the other side of that wall.

From extra-marital affairs, screaming street children, kidnap attempts and madness to amateur dramatics and shattered dreams, this is the story of one of Victorian England\u2019s most famous houses.

Joining Ben around the house are Lucinda Hawksley, Professor Joanne Begiato and conductor Charles Peebles.

Cast\nAlex Jennings as Charles Dickens\t\t\t\t \nKatherine Kingsley as Georgina Weldon\t\t\t\t \nBen Onwukwe as Frank Stone and Charles Gounod\t\t \nBen Crowe as Wilkie Collins and William \u2018Harry\u2019 Weldon \nJane Whittenshaw as Mary and Catherine Dickens\t\t\t

With thanks to Year 6 students at St Peter's Church of England (Aided) Primary School, Henfield, and Year 1 students at Underwood Church of England Primary School, Nottinghamshire, for ensemble roles.

Presented by Ben Gernon\nProduced by Alexandra Quinn\nSound Design by Jon Calver\nDrama scenes written by Rob Valentine\nDrama scenes directed by Cherry Cookson\nA Loftus Media and Wireless Theatre Production for BBC Radio 3