This book investigates the complex collaborative processes and artistic decisions required to adapt Charles Dickens's sprawling novel into a landmark theatrical event. Leon Rubin, who served as an assistant director for the production, utilizes his firsthand experience and archival access to document the Royal Shakespeare Company's creative methodology. The text argues that the success of the production relied on a specific ensemble-based approach that challenged traditional staging conventions of the era.

Experts and theater historians frequently cite this work as a primary source for understanding the mechanics of large-scale theatrical adaptation. Readers often note the technical detail provided regarding the transition from literary text to stage performance.