A century later, there were several 'collaborations' between the late Dickens and other novelists, numerous theatrical extrapolations, and three film adaptations of the story. Almost immediately, various authors and playwrights, including Dickens' own son, wrote their own endings. He left no notes about how he intended to finish the story. It began publication in 1870, but Dickens died suddenly that year from a stroke. The musical Drood has two major inspirations: Charles Dickens' final and unfinished novel, The Mystery of Edwin Drood and the British pantomime and music hall traditions that reached the height of popularity near the time of Dickens's death.ĭickens wrote The Mystery of Edwin Drood like most of his other novels, in episodic installments. The Roundabout Theatre Company revived the musical in 2012. After being revised, it transferred to Broadway and ran until May 1987, followed by two national tours and a London West End production. The musical debuted at the New York Shakespeare Festival in August 1985. Holmes received Tony awards for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score. The musical won five Tony Awards out of eleven nominations, including Best Musical. The show was the first Broadway musical with multiple endings (determined by audience vote). It is thought that the effects of the readings was one of the factors leading to his death.The Mystery of Edwin Drood (or simply Drood) is a musical written by Rupert Holmes based on the unfinished Charles Dickens novel. Dickens arranged a farewell tour and gave his last reading in March of 1870.

In 1869 his doctor advised him against giving further readings. The strain to his system was too great. So much so that the performances began to endanger his health. When Dickens was performing he threw himself into the characters heart and soul. It was an exceptionally dramatic selection in which Dickens acted out Nancy’s murder. One of his most popular performances was Sikes and Nancy from Oliver Twist. In 1858 he began giving professional readings and continued to do so throughout his life.ĭickens was an electrifying performer. The readings were a combination of oratory and passionate acting. He read A Christmas Carol for a charity event.

In 1853 Dickens gave the first public reading of one of his works. “Charles Dickens as he appears when reading.” Illustration in Harper’s Weekly, December 1867.

The mystery of edmund drood