A SAMUEL FRENCH, LTD. TITLE
Far from the Madding Crowd (White)
Full-Length Play, Drama / 3w, 5m
Thomas Hardy, Matthew White
Far from the Madding Crowd
Adapted by Matthew White from the novel by Thomas Hardy
The passion, melodrama, earthy humour and strong, gripping plot of Thomas Hardy's novel Far from the Madding Crowd are vividly conveyed in Matthew White's fast-moving and admirably economical adaptation.
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Cast Size
3w, 5m -
Duration
120 minutes (2 hours) -
Subgenre
Adaptation (Literature), Period -
Target Audience
Appropriate for All Audiences
Details
Summary
1997 - premiered at The Watermill Theatre, Newbury (produced by Jill Frazer and James Clutton
The story takes place in a rural community in Dorset. Bathsheba Everdene, a young, spirited farm-owner, is loved by three men; Gabriel Oak, her stoical, devoted shepherd; William Boldwood, a neighbouring farmer, whose regard borders on obsession and the dashing but irresponsible Sergeant Troy. Bathsheba marries Troy but, hearing that Fanny Robin, his previous lover, has died in childbirth, he disappears and is presumed dead. Boldwood's subsequent proposal is accepted by Bathsheba, but Troy reappears to claim his wife. Boldwood shoots Troy and is consequently imprisoned. Gabriel, who has remained constant to Bathsheba throughout everything, proposes to her himself and is finally accepted.
History
Premier production at The Watermill Theatre, Newbury in 1997. The cast included Jacqueline Charlesworth as Bathsheba and Jonathan Wrather as Sergeant Troy. It was directed by Matthew White, designed by Meg Surrey, and lit by Paule Constable.
Cast Attributes
Performing Groups
- Time Period 19th Century
- Additional Features Play with Music
- Duration 120 minutes (2 hours)
- Cautions
- No Special Cautions
Licensing & Materials
- Minimum Fee: £70 per performance plus VAT when applicable.
- Mandatory Music/Media Fee: £10 per performance
Authors
Thomas Hardy