FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD

This was an ambitious play to tackle especially recently showing the film on television. However Gallery took the bull by the horns and attached it with gusto. An excellent set made up the scenery especially created by talented Dav e Borthwick, well known in the area for his clever stage work.

This is a very romantic story between sets of lovers. Local  farmer Gabriel Oak  falls for local farm owner Bethsheba Everdene but in the wings is handsome soldier Sergeant Francis Troy who brings romance to the story and there is also wealthy landowner who is so besotted with Bethsheba that he is prepared to wait years for her to fancy him.Nicely played by Thomas Haigh.

The chorus worked very hard to bring this story to life and their country accents were very good as where the musicians who played music in keeping with the period.Many playing various instruments.Costumes were authentic of the period.

Bethsheba was played by pretty Leanne Wilcox who fitted the part well. Romantic farmer Gabriel was very well interpreted as the lovelorn farmer and of course we all fell for handsome sergeant Troy. Well done Ben Maytham.

I thought this was a very good effort by Gallery to bring this story to the stage and appreciate the hard work which went into bringing this to the small John Mills Theatre.

© NODA CIO. All rights reserved.