The New Hardy Players bring the stories of Thomas Hardy to life through evocative dramatisations of his work

2017

Coming in the next few months

Peter Pan

Also this year we have some very exciting plans afoot.

There will be poetry readings by members of the New Hardy Players and the return of “Going the Rounds”

Later in the year there will also be performances of The Withered Arm, which could be called a moral tale that also gives a snapshot of life as it once was in rural southwest England, a part of the country Hardy called ‘Wessex’.

For full details please click here

What we have been up to

A Few Crusted Character

During the Easter holidays a workshops were held for the younger members of the New Hardy Players with a focus on physical theater. This has led to the development of a production A Few Crusted Characters, which was performed at Maxgate house, to showcase their development of the performance so far.

Have a look at the video to see how they got on so far

We have also been busy with the Thomas Hardy’s birthday Celebrations and wreath laying and Tea with Lawrence directed by Andy Munroe.

Our own film of the complete performance plus readings by the Mayor of Dorchester and the Thomas Hardy Society.

2016 Main Production

Last years main performance was ” Under the Greenwood Tree”, Adapted by Jack Shepherd and Directed by Emma Hill/Tim Laycock

It was a fantastic run of 6 performances which were all sell outs.

About Us

The New Hardy Players formed in 2005, at the request of Norrie Woodhall on her 100th birthday, to celebrate the work of Dorset’s world famous and much loved author and poet Thomas Hardy.

We’re a friendly group and we’re always happy to welcome new people, so if you think you might like to get involved, either backstage or treading the boards, please get in touch. You can find more details here.

Over they years,the New Hardy Players have raised money for the Weldmar Hospicecare Trust, for Julia’s House, and for other local charities including Heroes Haven and Blind Veterans. We also helped the Dorset County Museum raise £58,000 to bring unique Hardy manuscripts back home to Dorset.

New Hardy Players