TESS

PERFORMERS: 7
RUNNING TIME: 2 HOURS PLUS INTERVAL
PREMIERED: OCTOBER 2023

Our new show Tess is an adaption of Hardy’s classic novel Tess of the D’Urbervilles, it weaves together acrobatics, aerial, physical theatre, spoken word and an inventive, evocative set to conjure Hardy’s world.

The classic novel still has extraordinary relevance for contemporary audiences as it explores questions of privilege, class, poverty, agency, female desire and solidarity.

It is the first time we have worked from a novel and it’s thrilling to weave together Hardy’s words with our physical storytelling to tell this gut-wrenching story about the strength to endure.

The piece is touring to UK theatres and is accompanied by free workshops which feed in to the GCSE / A-Level syllabus. To download the workshop pack CLICK HERE.

If you are interested in commissioning, programming, or supporting this work or would like further information contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Promo filmed at The Peacock Theatre, Sadler's Wells - January 2024

We asked the audience what they thought?

What the press say

“full of joy, wonder and delight, a highly original interpretation.”

The Guardian ★★★★

“Captivating and exhilarating, this production is hypnotic and teeming with physical creativity. Unmissable.”

Everything Theatre ★★★★★

“ingenious, an inspired adaptation”

The Stage ★★★★

“A coming together of talents to make something quite special out of one of the cornerstones of the literary canon. The sheer level of talent and ingenuity displayed by the cast brings us to our feet”

StageTalk ★★★★★

“beautifully rendered, richly directed - the level of fidelity to Hardy’s novel and attention to detail is astonishing.”

Lou Reviews ★★★★

Show images

Ockhams Razor - TESS

Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Tess

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Credits

TOUR DATES

Tue 25th Feb 2025
New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth

Tue 4th - Thu 6th March 2025
Oxford Playhouse

Tue 11th & Wed 12th March 2025
Theatre Royal Winchester

Tue 18th March 2025
Corn Exchange Newbury

Thu 20th March 2025
Lighthouse Poole

Tue 25th & Wed 26th March 2025
Cast Doncaster

Wed 2nd April 2025
Hall for Cornwall

Wed 28th - Sat 31st May 2025
Leeds Playhouse

Thu 5th - Sat 7th June  2025
Home Manchester

Commissioned by The Lowry, Salford and London International Mime Festival with support from artsdepot, Shoreditch Town Hall, National Centre for Circus Arts and Bristol Circus City.

Funded by Arts Council England, The Foyle Foundation, PRS Foundation’s The Open Fund for Organisations, Garrick Charitable Trust and Royal Victoria Hall Foundation.

THANKS

Our funders and partners; Arts Council England, Foyle Foundation, PRS, Royal Victoria Hall Foundation, the Garrick Trust, Steve Cowton and Matt Eames and all the team at the Lowry Salford, Helen and Joseph at Mime London, Nicole and the team at Bristol Circus City, Louisa and the team at artsdepot, Ellie and the team at Shoreditch Town Hall, Kate and Dan and the at team National Centre for Circus Arts and Bernie Grants Arts Centre for supporting us in the making of this work. Steve Ryan, Beatrice Galloway, all the artists that joined us in the R&D process - Helen (Parkey) Parke, Natalie James, Laura Vanhulle, Michael Kelland, Jennifer Wilson, Arielle Lauzon, Sophie Northmore, Sara Brigitte and Grace Neville Evans. The Creative Mentors Bim Mason, Rosemary Lee and Matilda Leyser. Anne Marie Casey for being the warmest and most supportive script advisor we could have dreamed of.

Ockham’s Razor’s advisory board, Charlotte Cunnigham and all the team at Turtle Key Arts, India Crawford from ACE, Alan from Primo and his team, Paul Veer, Kie Cummings, Lisle Turner from Open Sky, Kelly Codling Bray, Holly Cameron Jennings, Jo Mackey, Rob, Brian, Seamus, Lil and the Lyric Hammersmith, Belinda Horley, Ella Tournes and all those that helped with developing our workshop offffer, Ciaria Killick, Jess Boot-Cowie, The Thomas Hardy Society, to all the independent bookshops that joined in helping to promote Tess and to all those who come to see, email, share on social media and post about our work we could not do it without you.

Finally, a very special thanks to our families for all their love and support – because none of this is possible without you.