Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Preston Charter Theatre - 01/07/09
ANYONE who goes to see this theatre adaptation of Thomas Hardy's timeless classic who hasn't read the book will certainly be inspired to do so after seeing it superbly brought to life on stage.
Tess of the D'Ubervilles tells the tales of innocent and nave peasant girl Tess Durbeyfield whose father suddenly discovers they are descendants of noble stock, the D'Urbervilles.
Sent to put in a good word and become close to the aristocratic D'Ubervilles, Tess is pursued, seduced then raped by "bounder" Alec D'Uberville and gives birth to an illegitimate child.
She names her baby 'Sorrow' and is hit by further tragedy when the baby dies just a few-weeks-old.
Dairy maid Tess finds true love when she meets Angel Clare and she hardly dares believe her happiness when he pledges his love and wants to marry her.
But after their wedding, she confesses her past 'impurity' and dead child begging for forgiveness. However, she is spurned by her husband who cannot deal with her revelations and leaves her.
This Theatreworks production is adapted, designed and directed by Ali Gorton who skilfully recreates Hardy's text and perfectly evokes a real sense of rural life in Victorian England.
All the acting brilliantly portrays the characters with just five actors filling the many roles with some doubling up to play different parts.
Tess is perfectly acted to convey the heroine's complex mixture of innocence, passion and increased fragility as fate deals her yet another blow.
With the backdrop of Stonehenge, the scenery and costumes all pay fine attention to period detail.
And, although Tess's tale is a tragic one, the play has uplifting moments too with flashes of comedy, as well as music, singing and dancing.
Aasma Day
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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