A new musical by Peter Tierney

Book, music, and lyrics by Peter Tierney

Great Expectations: The Making of a Gentleman is a new musical adaptation of the Charles Dickens novel, reimagined through a contemporary, character‑centred musical score. Written, composed, and arranged by Peter Tierney, the adaptation remains faithful to Dickens’s language and narrative while introducing new dramatic elements created specifically for the musical.

The story follows Pip’s journey from early ambition and illusion to disillusion and, ultimately, redemption. The score is written to reflect each character’s emotional world, using melodic writing, thematic recall, songs for ensemble, and intimate duet moments.

Across the 21 musical numbers, the piece includes solo material, character‑focused pieces, and larger ensemble numbers, allowing the story to develop through both dialogue and music.

Great Expectations: The Making of a Gentleman is currently in development. A table read and staged reading are planned for 2026 as part of the musical’s ongoing creative process.