THE RETURN OF THE NATIVE

Max Gate, Dorchester

MUSIC, dancing and rustic humour, can this really be a Thomas Hardy story?

Yes it is, thanks to an imaginative adaptation of the original novel that brings out all the best of Hardy’s love of the Dorset countryside and the rural lifestyle of its people.

Celebrating ten years since they were formed, the New Hardy Players have become a major theatrical asset to the town and this production directed by Howard Payton sees a blend of musical and dramatic excellence together with traditional costumes and authentic Dorset accents that puts firmly into the shade the recent dire cinematic offering of Far From the Madding Crowd.

Performed in the garden of Hardy’s home, the production gets under way in musical fashion as the orchestra sets the tone with wonderfully appropriate melodies under the direction of Alastair Simpson who composed much of the score along with Tim Laycock, who also takes a leading role on stage as a variety of rustic characters.

The main story line deals with love spurned and betrayed as the main characters shift their loyalties and passions with inevitably disastrous results, with Kitty Sansom as the fascinating Eustacia while Toby Ingram is the returning native Clym and Anthony Atkin is his rival Damon.

With a chorus of peasant folk and gossipy women together with a delightful version of a Mummers tale to celebrate Christmas, the play is full of delights that provide a welcome lighthearted lift to the main story of unrequited love and loss.

There are further performances throughout the month at outdoor venues including Lulworth Cove on 16th and 17th July.

MARION COX