UNDER THE GREENWOOD TREE

Corn Exchange, Dorchester

THERE can be few better ways of welcoming in the festive season than watching the New Hardy Players perform Thomas Hardy’s warm-hearted story of Dorset country people of yesteryear which feature their traditional Christmas celebrations.

A cast of more than 40 actors and musicians create a joyous atmosphere as they sing, play, act and dance the evening away in this adaptation by Wycliffe star Jack Shepherd who puts into the dialogue all the rustic wit and charm of Hardy’s early work.

The winsome tale of the arrival into the village of Fancy Day, a young schoolteacher with whom the young men fall in love, is told with humour and affection by the cast who season the plot with tuneful carols and rural songs under the inspired direction of Emma Hill and Tim Laycock.

The large cast cannot be named in full but mention must go to Alastair Simpson and Veronica Neale who nicely portray the young lovers Dick Dewey and Fancy Day while Brian Caddy, David Lucas, Tom Archer and Rob Sansom enliven the action in their roles as villagers.

The sub-plot tells how change is in the air and new values and ideas are discarding the old customs that have kept the community together, a tale that still resonates in today’s world.

Excellent musical accompaniment by the seven piece group Tatterdemalion, keep the action going helped along by members of the cast who comprise the Mellstock Quire in a production that is a sell-out for all five consecutive performances and deservedly so.

MARION COX