Set in England in 1828, the story centres on wealthy Samuel Pickwick and his valet Sam Weller, who are in a debtors' prison where they recall the misadventures that led to their imprisonment.

The Pickwickians Tracy Tupman, Augustus Snodgrass and Nathaniel Winkle were played by Gerald James, Julian Orchard and Oscar Quitak respectively.

Rachel, Isabella and Emily were played by Hilda Braid, Vivienne St. George and Jane Sconce respectively with Sam Weller's 'Girl' Mary performed superbly by Dilys Watling.

Davy Jones of The Monkees says he got his big break after appearing as Sam Weller in Pickwick in Hollywood with Harry Secombe, where writers Paul Mazursky and Larry Tucker saw him.

The best-known song from the score is "If I Ruled the World", which not only became the signature tune for Harry Secombe, but was covered by Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis Jr. and many other vocalists.