The New Hardy Players present
A Few Crusted Characters
Written by Victoria Bowles after Thomas Hardy.
Directed by Penny Levicree and Alastair Braidwood.
“It is a Saturday afternoon of blue and yellow autumn time, and the scene is the High Street of a well-known market-town. A large carrier’s van stands in the quadrangular fore-court of the White Hart Inn, upon the sides of its spacious tilt being painted, in weather-beaten letters: ‘Burthen, Carrier to Longpuddle…”
To celebrate their 20th year, the New Hardy Players bring Thomas Hardy’s famous series of short stories to beautiful venues all over Dorset. This is Dorset’s most celebrated author’s answer to ‘The Canterbury Tales’ – a series of comic and tragic stories, with small scenes of village gossip from 200 years ago, told by an ensemble of authentic Dorset voices.
Suitable for all ages, the play is followed by country dancing with live music in the best tradition.
June 2025 open-air tour dates:
- Friday 6 June & Saturday 7 June – 7.30pm – Abbotsbury Swannery
- Sunday 8 June – 4pm* matinee – Maumbury Rings, Dorchester
- Friday 13 June – 7.30pm – Amphitheatre at Holme Gardens, Wareham
- Saturday 14 June – 7.30pm – Minterne House
- Sunday 15 June – 4pm* matinee – Minterne House
* On the two Sunday performances, doors open an hour before the show for picnicking. Come early and enjoy pre-performance festivities. Also, on these two Sunday dates, a family ticket is available (2 adults and up to 3 Children).
Tickets available online from Dorchester Arts: Click here for more details and tickets.
Alternatively you can visit the Dorchester Arts box office in person at the Corn Exchange or call 01305 266926, Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm.
The New Hardy Players 