A Beautiful Thread - Thomas Hardy in Words and Music

With Anton Lesser and musicians of the Orchestra of the Swan

A very special event at St Michael's, Stinsford, home of Hardy's heart.

A Beautiful Thread celebrates Thomas Hardy in his own words: poetry, novels, and the music he loved so much.

Starring Anton Lesser (Game of Thrones, Andor, Wolf Hall, Endeavour) alongside Lucia Bonbright, A Beautiful Thread weaves Hardy’s life – dramatic as any of his books – with his poetry and great novels, including Far From the Madding Crowd and Tess of the d’Urbervilles.
The script is written and adapted by Deirdre Shields (Red Sky at Sunrise - Laurie Lee in Words and Music, GEORGE Eliot in Words and Music).

Hardy put more music into his work than any other writer, and Orchestra of the Swan’s Artistic Director, David Le Page, has devised a musical programme of shimmering beauty - an ensemble of musicians with a Mellstock band style, that combines West Gallery Music from the village churches of the 1840’s with Holst, Purcell, and contemporary folk.

Running times: 2 hours including a 20 minute interval

This unique performance features a five piece version of the show.

Writer, Deirdre Shields
Director, Judy Reaves
Music Director, David Le Page
Narrator, Anton Lesser
Narrator, Lucia Bonbright