Season 54 Play 2 – Far from the Madding Crowd by Matthew White
Directed by
Cast
Gabriel Oak – Jonathan Tate
William Boldwood – Robin Martin
Sergeant Francis Troy – Tim Lobley
Fanny Robin – Kay Rigby
Lydia Smallbury (Liddy) – Kate Robinson
Mrs. Hurst – Joan Holbrough
Joseph Poorgrass – Jeff Peacock
Jan Coggan – Douglas Swift
Priest – Stephen Mason
Synopsis
Passion, melodrama, earthy humour and a strong gripping plot are vividly conveyed in Matthew White’s adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s novel. The scene is Dorset in the mid 19th century. 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. The play is Bathsheba’s story.
Directors Notes
“Far from the Madding Crowd” concerns the love affairs of Bathsheba Everdene, a young, spirited farm-owner; her wooing by stoical, dependable shepherd Gabriel Oak; her marriage to irresponsible Sergeant Troy; and her disastrous affair with the obsessive Farmer Boldwood. The passion, melodrama, earthy humour and strong, gripping plot of Thomas Hardy’s great novel, are vividly conveyed in Matthew White’s admirably economical adaptation. With thirty scene changes, we have adopted the minimalist approach! I have been delighted to work with such a wonderful cast and crew on this, my first main house production for BLT and thank them very much for their support.
