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
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
Credits
Adapted and Directed by:
Alex Harvey and Charlotte Mooney - Ockham’s Razor
Produced by:
Alison King – Turtle Key Arts
Devised by:
The Company - Alex Harvey, Charlotte Mooney, Macadie Amoroso, Joshua Frazer, Lauren Jamieson, Lila Naruse, Victoria Skillen, Leah Wallings and Nat Whittingham Performed by Macadie Amoroso, Joshua Frazer, Lauren Jamieson, Lila Naruse, Victoria Skillen, Leah Wallings and Nat Whittingham
With choreography by:
Nathan Johnston
Composition, Sound Design and Production:
Holly Khan
Design & Equipment Concept:
Ockham’s Razor in association with Tina Bicât
Set and Costume Design:
Tina Bicât
Lighting Design:
Aideen Malone
Projection Design:
Daniel Denton
Script Advisor:
Anne-Marie Casey
TOUR DATES
Fri 13th - Sun 15th October 2023
Unit 15 Circus City Bristol
Sat 21st & Sun 22nd October 2023
Lawrence Batley Huddersfield
Tue 14th & Wed 15th November 2023
Malvern Theatre
Wed 29th November 2023
Cornerstone, Didcot
Wed 31st Jan - Sat 3rd February 2024
Peacock Theatre, Sadler's Wells, London
Wed 7th & Thu 8th February 2024
The Traverse, Edinburgh
Wed 14th - Sat 17th February 2024
The Lowry, Salford Quays
Wed 21st February 2024
Lighthouse Poole
Mon 11th & Tue 12th March 2024
Northcott, Exeter
Wed 20th & Thu 21st March 2024
artsdepot, North Finchley
Tue 26th March 2024
Oxford Playhouse
Wed 10th - Fri 12th April 2024
The Belgrade, Coventry
Tue 30th April & Wed 1st May 2024
New Theatre Royal, Portsmouth
Wed 8th - Sat 11th May 2024
York Theatre Royal
Thu 16th - Sat 18th May 2024
Worthing Theatres
Tue 21st & Wed 22nd May 2024
Norwich Theatre Royal
Wed 5th June 2024
Salisbury Playhouse
Further dates to be announced for Spring 2025
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.