ENJOY some outdoor theatre at Thomas Hardy's former home.

Tea with Mrs Hardy and the Suffragists will be performed by The New Hardy Players at Max Gate, Dorchester, on Thursday September 13 and Friday, September 14 at 4pm.

This is a short piece of new immersive theatre based on various sources including the letters of Emma Hardy and Florence Dugdale, later to become the second Mrs Hardy, as well as more general background material.

One of Emma Hardy’s final letters was to cancel her subscription to The London Society for Suffrage. Emma, the first wife of Thomas Hardy, had been a supporter of the less militant suffragists and she was concerned by the increasing violence of the emerging suffragette group.

John Hayes, visitor experience officer at Max Gate, said: "This tea will be unusual as it will be hosted by Mrs Hardy, without Mr Hardy and there will be an entirely female cast. The wide-ranging conversations will touch on changes that were occurring in the early years of the 20th century, including the developing educational opportunities for women.

"Guests on the top table will include both suffragettes and suffragists, so some of the exchanges may become quite heated. Even the maids are being inspired by the Votes for Women campaign and they are planning to read poems about suffrage."

Teas at Max Gate are always popular and it is suggested people are seated by 3.50pm.The event is un-ticketed. Normal admission charges to Max Gate apply, National Trust members free. A donation to the New Hardy Players for the refreshments is welcomed.

Max Gate, now owned and managed by the National Trust, is the former home of Thomas Hardy, and was designed by the writer himself in 1885. It was here he wrote some of his most famous novels including Tess of the d’Urbervilles and Jude the Obscure.

*Tea with Mrs Hardy and the Suffragists, Max Gate, Dorchester, Thursday, September 13 and Friday, September 14 , 4pm.