Little Women
Tess of the D'Urbervilles
Charlotte's Web
Thomas Hardy's
Tess of The D'Urbervilles
Tess opened to great critical acclaim this year and is playing to sell out houses. Spring 2009 will be it's third national tour. It comes hot on the heels of Far From The Madding Crowd which was another resounding success for Theatreworks over five consecutive tours.
Interwoven with pastoral comedy, dance, music, and paying fine attention to period detail the drama is rooted in Hardy's atmospheric 'Wessex' and skillfully recreates the story of Tess – a maiden who falls victim to male lust and social hypocrisy. Opening on a glorious spring day, amidst May time merrymaking, the plot begins when young Tess sets out, on her drunken father's behalf, to claim 'kinship' with the aristocratic D'Urbervilles. Inexperienced, unworldly Tess is offered work on the D'Urberville estate and reluctantly makes her home there, becoming entwined with 'bounder' Alec D'Urberville, but fate soon moves against the innocent Tess and she begins another journey, along an almost impassible road, thick with brambles, pot-holes, one that eventually leads the dairy maid to the brooding ruins of Stonehenge – symbolic site of pagan sacrifice.
Tess follows the hugely successful 'Far from the Madding Crowd'.
“A cultural treat” The Independent.
“A production of exquisite sensitivity” The Daily Telegraph.
“A joy to watch” Evening Standard.
Tess Press Quotes
"Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy's Victorian bodice ripper, seems even more passionate when presented by Theatreworks in the open air at Arley Hall....
It's a far cry from the often flippant outdoor productions of other companies and is all the better for being something you can get your teeth into...
The sound of the cast singing country music together is beautiful...
What a pity Theatreworks are not staying at Arley for a second performance for Tess is one of the few plays I would willingly see again." Manchester Evening News.
"Natalie Ball's consistently fine Tess was a pleasure to watch. Her naivety and misplaced faith were delicately drawn, and Ali Gorton's careful direction ensured that her fate was both credible and inescapable...
An excellent production which showed considerable insight into the text - let's hope they have a chance to adapt Hardy's other tales." Suffolk Free Press.