Dorchester Arts is kicking off a summer of live outdoor shows with a production of Tess of the D'Urbervilles on Thursday, June 24 at 7pm in Maumbury Rings.

Following on from a production of Thomas Hardy’s Far From The Madding Crowd in 2017, Hotbuckle Productions will bring perhaps one of Hardy’s finest works back to his home town.

Tess traces the life of the young country girl Tess Durbeyfield. Driven by family poverty to claim kinship with the wealthy D’Urberville family, the innocent Tess crosses paths with her ‘cousin’, the dissolute Alec and the gentleman, Angel Clare, with tragic results.

Dorchester Arts Artistic Director Mark Tattersall said “We are looking forward to welcoming audiences back and hopefully seeing new faces in the crowd. It has been a long and challenging year and one that has highlighted the importance of live performances to our health and wellbeing.

"What better way to start our summer outdoor season than with a production of Hardy's classic Tess of the D'Urbervilles."

Tickets are £14 full price or £12 for Members of Dorchester Arts, under-18s or those on low income or £44 for a family (based on 4 people, max. 2 adults) and are available online at https://www.dorchesterarts.org.uk or from the Dorchester Arts box office on 01305 266926 (9.30am – 1.30pm Monday to Friday).