The Tabard Players gave an open-air performance of scenes from David Copperfield in the courtyard of the George Inn , Borough High Street , London . A lorry was used as a stage . The George Inn is mentioned in Dickens ' Little Dorrit '. General view of the first act in progress watched by an audience in the inn yard and on the old balconies . On left David Copperfield is played by Mr Richard James , a 21-year-old clerk of Sutton , Surrey . 9th February 1946