The New Hardy Players bring the stories of Thomas Hardy to life through evocative dramatisations of his work
2017
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.
Coming in the next few months
Poetry Reading
Wednesday 21st June 3pm – 4pm at Maxgate House
Devised and led by Sonia Morris and Sue Worth
High Team with Mr Hardy
Thursday 6th July 5pm at Maxgate House
Guests will include Sir James Barrie and some of our younger NHP members in excerpts of 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
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.
Contact Us
For general information about the New Hardy Players:
Andy Worth – Chairman Tel: 07787 123927
Email: newhardyplayers@gmail.com
We are on Facebook and Twitter
We look forward to hearing from you!
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.
The 2016 adaptation was written by renowned actor, playwright and director Jack Shepherd (Inspector Wycliffe) and cleverly tackles the social changes which rock the small community of Mellstock. The production features music and song from a live band, and brings to the stage some of the best-loved characters in Hardy for audiences to enjoy.
“There can be few better ways of welcoming the festive season than watching the New Hardy Players perform Thomas Hardy’s warm hearted story of Dorset country people of yesteryear which feature their traditional Christmas celebrations” Marian Cox at the dorset Echo
