THE Olivier Award-winning actress Nichola McAuliffe leads the cast of Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations as the iconic Miss Havisham at Theatre Royal Winchester from Tuesday.

This powerful new stage adaptation of this timeless classic is peopled by some of Dickens’ most colourful and memorable characters.

The story follows Pip, who after a terrifying encounter with an escaped convict, is given an unexpected chance to better himself by visiting the reclusive and mysterious Miss Havisham.

In the decaying grandeur of her house, Pip falls in love with Estella and helped by an anonymous benefactor, he moves to the bustling city to pursue his dream of winning Estella’s heart and of becoming part of the educated elite.

Nichola McAuliffe last appeared at Theatre Royal Winchester in Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van in 2011.

She is best known for her role in the long running TV series, Surgical Spirit and the films Tomorrow Never Dies and Cheri.

Great Expectations will be showing at theTheatre Royal in Winchester until Saturday April 28.