Dinner party twist brings great expectations for Dickens fans

SKETCHES of Charles Dickens staging plays for his dinner party guests have gone on public display for the first time.

- By Julia Kuttner

The pencil, ink and watercolour drawings capture the 19th century Oliver Twist author performing his own works in full costume for his friends, family and neighbours, often to raise funds for charitable causes.

The expressive poses were sketched by amateur artist Nathaniel Powell, who lived next door to Dickens' Tavistock House in London.