[NOTD]16th August 2007/Happy B'day Evanna

AWARD-winning British actor Miriam Margolyes takes a trip into history, through the lives of the women in Charles Dickens' life, both real and fictional.

"I've been a great admirer of Dickens, a passionate admirer, all my life and I want to share with you my relish in his humour, variety and vitality" states Miriam.

Among the 23 different characters (male and female) brought to life by Miriam you'll discover The Old Curiousity Shop's Little Nell, the loyal Mrs Micawber from David Copperfield (inspired by Dickens' own mother), and the cold embittered Miss Havisham from Great Expectations.

Acclaimed on stage and screen, Miriam won an LA Critics Circle Award for her role as Flora Finching in the film Little Dorrit and has become a firm favourite with filmgoers in a range of roles including Professor Sprout in the Harry Potter series, Mrs Mingott in Martin Scorcese's The Age of Innocence (which won her a BAFTA), Ladies in Lavender, Being Julia and one of the voices in Happy Feet.

She is the presenter of the popular BBC documentary series Dickens in America and most recently played Madame Morrible in the West End hit musical Wicked.

Dickens' Women has been acclaimed around the world and Miriam's West End season in the Duke of York Theatre won her an Olivier Award nomination.

Source: News.com, Australia