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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.

Far from the Madding Crowd (White)

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  • Cast Size
    Cast Size
    3w, 5m
  • Duration
    Duration
    120 minutes (2 hours)
  • SubGenre
    Subgenre
    Adaptation (Literature), Period
  • Audience
    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.

Keywords
Performing Groups

Ideally the two actors playing Joseph Poorgrass and Jan Coggan will also have musical skills. In the original production they both played instruments and provided accompaniment for several songs. 

  • 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

Scripts

Available Formats:
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Authors

Author

Thomas Hardy

Matthew White

Matthew White
Matthew's writing credits include TOP HAT (R&H) which enjoyed a successful West End run at the Adelphi Theatre, toured Britain and Japan, and which won three Olivier awards including Best New Musical; MR STINK, a theatrical adaptation of David Walliams's best-selling novel (L ...
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