Circus adaptation of Thomas Hardy novel comes to Leeds Playhouse next month

“Unmissable.” ★★★★★ Everything Theatre
“ingenious… an inspired adaptation” ★★★★ The Stage
“full of joy, wonder and delight – a highly original interpretation.” ★★★★ The Guardian

Leeds Playhouse is presenting Tess, a ground-breaking, acrobatic, physical theatre dance adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s Tess of the D’Urbervilles next month. The production, by contemporary circus company Ockham’s Razor, is at the Playhouse from 28-31 May as part of their UK Tour.

Tess is a joyful hour of high-octane adventure, live music, physical comedy and stunning storytelling. The production uses Hardy’s original text combined with the physical language of circus, allowing the performers to retell the story of power, loss and endurance through a feminist lens. Hardy’s classic novel still has extraordinary relevance for contemporary audiences as it explores questions of privilege, class, consent, agency, female desire and sisterhood.

Directors Alex Harvey and Charlotte Mooney said: “Tess of the D’Urbervilles has been adapted before for TV and film, but it always struck us that the poetry of the book, the radical nature of it and the strength and heroism of Tess was often lost in translation. Over time we became increasingly convinced that circus, and all the physicality of it, would be the perfect medium for capturing all the many elements of the novel. One of the surprises in the creation of Tess is how much joy and humour there is to find in the novel and the staging. There is a seam of joy in there which is captured by the play and collaboration of the ensemble.”

Tess features an ensemble of seven circus performers from diverse backgrounds.The company has a long experience of reframing the female body with circus, looking at strength, capability and agency. Tess weaves together acrobatics, aerial, dance, physical theatre and the distinctively simple, evocative design of Ockham’s Razor to create Hardy’s world.

Tess is Ockham’s Razor’s first production based on a novel. The script has been written by Ockham’s Razor using Hardy’s own words, with advice from Anne Marie Casey, an acclaimed novelist and screenwriter who has previously adapted Little Women and Wuthering Heights for the stage.

Listings info
Ockham’s Razor presents
Tess
Courtyard Theatre, Leeds Playhouse
28-31 May
Running time: 2 hours
Age 12+
Box office 0113 213 7700
Book online leedsplayhouse.org.uk