Author set for Fratton Park debut
Pompey fans will get a taste of the works of Charles Dickens thanks to an innovative literature project which comes to Fratton Park at half-time of Pompey’s match against Exeter on Saturday.
Famous for masterpieces such as A Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist, A Christmas Carol and Bleak House among others, Portsmouth’s most famous literary son will make his first appearance at the Blues’ home this weekend.
Organised by the Portsmouth Museums team, Pop Up Dickens is a scheme designed to take impromptu readings of the author, born in Commercial Road in 1812, to the masses in unusual locations.
And the project is coming to Fratton Park, where London-based actor Lauren Potter will read extracts from Dickens’ works as well as tell the crowd a little bit about the great man’s life story and his connections with the city.
The reading will take place pitch side and will be beamed to the new OneCom big screen, which will also be making its debut that day.
Sarah Cheverton, a writer and manager of the Pop Up Dickens project, said: “We are delighted and really excited to be taking our project to Fratton Park.
“We have had tremendous feedback when we have performed in other locations, but this is our biggest stage yet.”
And she revealed she hoped the crowd would join in with a special rendition of the Pompey Chimes, adapted for the occasion, adding: “Dickens is such an important literary figure and we are sure the Pompey crowd will want to acknowledge the city’s connections with him.
“At the end of Lauren’s reading we want the fans to join in with a special version of the chimes, which will go: Play on Dickens, Dickens Play On.”
Pompey engagement manager Micah Hall said: “At the club we are not only proud of our own heritage, but we share in the pride of all things great about Portsmouth. When we were approached to host this event we were very pleased to do so.”