"TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES

This version of "Tess of the D'Urbervilles", Thomas Hardy's own second version of his novel, was first presented at The Corn Exchange, Dorchester in 1924 (starring Gertrude Bugler as Tess).

It transferred to London (starring Gwen Ffrancgon-Davies) in 1925, playing two months in Barnes and two months in the West End.

Following Hardy's death in 1928, Gertrude Bugler restaged the production in London in 1929, again playing the part of Tess herself.

We know of no subsequent productions of this version until our own in 1993. The 2001 version was its second production.

CHARACTERS (in order of appearance):

Thomas Hardy had a life-long interest in writing drama, though he was frequently put off from doing so by all manner of frustrations - above all, having to deal with theatre people!

His original poetic drama included the phenomenally epic "The Dynasts" as well as the shorter, simpler "The Famous Tragedy of the Queen of Cornwall" (a version of Tristan and Iseult).

Hardy also adapted several of his own novels and short stories for the stage, as did a number of other dramatists. His first version of "Tess of the D'Urbervilles" was written in 1894-5 with a view to production by Forbes-Robertson (who reluctantly agreed to play Clare) and with Mrs Patrick Campbell as Tess - though Ellen Terry, Eleanora Duse and Sarah Bernhardt were amongst the many other leading actresses all clamouring for the part.

However it was to be Mrs Fiske, the American actress, who created the part in a long-running success in New York which opened in 1897. This was adapted by the American playwright, Lorimer Stoddard, in just 5 days, and was much more actable and produceable than Hardy's own original version. Interestingly it opens at Talbothays Farm, which in Hardy's version is Act Three out of five.

Hardy's personal inability to cope with the assertive theatrical personalities demanding the part of Tess led him to withdraw his permission for a London production.

Over the following years, some piracies appeared, notably one by Hugh Arthur Kennedy with Mrs Lewis Waller as Tess, which "owed much" to Stoddard's (authorized) American success. An Italian opera by Baron Frederic d'Erlanger opened in Naples in 1906, only to be totally ruined by an eruption of Mount Vesuvius! The opera came to London in 1909 and received "a most enthusiastic reception from one of the largest and most fashionable audiences of the season".

About this time Hardy formed a long-term relationship with The Dorchester Dramatic and Debating Society that turned the group into The Hardy Players. This in turn led to the first fully-authorized British production of "Tess" - a totally new version by Hardy - in Dorchester in 1924, starring local actress, Gertrude Bugler, as Tess.

Once again London actresses started clamouring for the role. This time Lady Forbes-Robertson (Gertrude Elliott), Sybil Thorndike and Gwen Ffrangcon-Davies were the main contenders -and it was the latter who opened in this version on 7th September at the Barnes Theatre, transferring after two months to the Garrick in the West End

This version was a considerable improvement on the first, thanks partly to the work of dramatist A.E. Filmer, who sharpened the script and made it much more theatrical. In 1929, a year after Hardy's death, Gertrude Bugler restaged this version in London, repeating her own personal success in the title role.

It is this version, worked on and approved by Hardy himself only three years before his death at 88, that The Wessex Actors Company has made its own.