Dombey and Son

The story of the adored son and the neglected daughter, of a wealthy merchant whose pride contains the seeds of his own downfall. A fresh adaptation of one of Charles Dickens' most powerful and dramatic novels.

Mr Dombey has a son and heir at last, although his wife has died in childbirth. Neglected and heart-broken, his daughter is consoled by her maid, Susan Nipper, and Paul's nurse, the kindly Polly.

Polly and Susan Nipper have taken little Florence and her baby brother Paul to visit the Toodle family, in the hope of seeing Polly's son, Biler. On the way home, Florence is separated from the others and lost.

The lost Florence has been found by Walter Gay. A friendship begins between them. Baby Paul grows up into a strange, old fashioned little boy. Worried about the child's poor health, Mr Dombey has sent him to Mrs Pipchin's school in Brighton.

Walter Gay has been told that he is to be sent to the West Indies. Little Paul's health has worsened and he has collapsed at school.

Little Paul 's death has left Mr Dombey heartbroken. Walter has said goodbye to Florence and set off for the West Indies.

Shattered by the death of young Paul, Mr Dombey has gone to Leamington Spa. He is accompanied by Major Bagstock, who introduces him to the scheming Mrs Skewton and her beautiful daughter Edith. Meanwhile old Sol, Captain Cuttle and Florence are waiting anxiously for news of Walter, whose ship is still missing.

Walter Gay's ship has been given up for lost, and Sol Gills has disappeared, leaving Captain Cuttle in charge of his shop. Although she does not love him, Edith has accepted Mr Dombey's proposal of marriage.

Mr Dombey and Edith have married, but there is a growing coldness between them. Finally, Dombey's criticisms of his wife's conduct lead to a serious quarrel.

To revenge herself upon Dombey, Edith has run away with Carker. Furious and humiliated, Dombey has turned on Florence, who has fled to Captain Cuttle for refuge.