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President of the Hardy Society Julian Fellowes tells the extraordinary story of The Hardy Players.

This is an amateur theatre group inspired and supported by Thomas Hardy.

Julian meets original cast member Norrie Woodhall, who recalls rehearsals at Hardy's home at Max Gate, near Dorchester.

Hardy's celebrity status drew the attention of London critics, who thronged to Dorchester to see and review the Players' performances for the national newspapers. Hardy invited the drama critic of The Times, Harold Child, to stay with him and was rewarded by a whole column for the review and a leading article on the players.

There are many comical anecdotes about the members of the group and their performances which could come directly off the pages of 'Under the Greenwood Tree' or 'The Trumpet Major'. And first readings would take place in presence of Hardy's guests - James Barrie, Sir Henry Newbolt and TE Lawrence among them.

Hardy presented the Players with an original verse play called 'The Famous Tragedy of the Queen of Cornwall' in 1923. Such was the national interest in this play that the 成人论坛 (only a year old) broadcast it 'radiated from the Bournemouth station only.' But Hardy refused permission for London productions of his plays, perhaps protective of the special local qualities of the Hardy Players.

The New Hardy Players were formed in 2005, with original Player Norrie Woodhall as President. Norrie was cast by Hardy himself as Tess's sister, Liza Lu, in the stage version of his novel, Tess of the D'Urbervilles.

Producer: Mary Ward-Lowery

First broadcast on 成人论坛 Radio 4 in November 2010.