Nicholas Nickleby · Chapter
Treats of the company of Mr. Vincent Crummles, and of his affairs, domestic and theatrical explained
Nicholas travels with Mr.
What happens
Nicholas travels with Mr. Vincent Crummles and his theatrical family to Portsmouth, where he is introduced to the shabby reality of the theatre. He meets Mrs. Crummles and the infant phenomenon, and is given a French play to translate and adapt for the company. After dinner, he secures modest lodgings with Smike.
Themes in this chapter
Ambition and Speculation
Mr. Crummles' theatrical ventures reflect the speculative nature of provincial theatre, with hopes pinned on new plays and small audiences.
Hypocrisy and Appearance vs. Reality
The glamour of theatre is contrasted with the shabby, cold reality of the empty stage and cheap lodgings.
Characters to notice
- Nicholas Nickleby
Travels with the Crummles troupe, meets the company, and is tasked with translating a French play.
- Vincent Crummles
Manager of the theatre; travels with Nicholas, introduces him to the company, and assigns him the translation work.
- Mrs. Crummles
Portly actress and manager's wife; hosts dinner and discusses the lack of local theatrical appreciation.
- Smike
Travels with Nicholas and the Crummles boys; shares lodgings with Nicholas in Portsmouth.
- Ninetta Crummles
The infant phenomenon; performs multiple roles and is discussed in terms of past benefits.
- Miss Snevellicci
Mentioned as the actress who will play Juliet in the planned production.
Key passages
“Many and many is the circuit this pony has gone... He is quite one of us. His mother was on the stage.”
The pony has traveled many circuits and is considered part of the troupe; its mother performed on stage.
Mr. Crummles humorously anthropomorphizes the pony, blending theatrical life with the mundane.
“Is this a theatre? ... I thought it was a blaze of light and finery.”
Smike is shocked to see the theatre in daylight, expecting it to be bright and splendid.
Highlights the contrast between the glamorous illusion of theatre and its drab reality.
“Invention! what the devil's that got to do with it! ... Do you understand French? ... There! Just turn that into English, and put your name on the title-page.”
Mr. Crummles dismisses the need for original invention, instead instructing Nicholas to translate a French play and claim authorship.
Reveals the pragmatic and sometimes dishonest practices of provincial theatre management.