There’s a treat for Thomas Hardy fans on Friday 7th October at the Merlin Theatre from 7.45pm, when Hammerpuzzle Theatre Company presents The Woodlanders.
Back on tour following ‘King John’ in 2015, Hammerpuzzle returns to the Merlin with a distilled adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s romantic, rural novel, a tale that both intertwines and unravels misplaced affection, fathers and daughters, a woodland community and above all, love. We follow the inhabitants of Little Hintock, as relationships flourish, families transform and all comes full circle with the changing of the seasons.
‘The Woodlanders’ weaves Hammerpuzzle’s unique style of accessible storytelling, with live music, song and an originally composed piano underscore. It is a co-production with the Everyman Theatre Cheltenham. Tickets are £12.50 and £10, running time is 90 minutes plus interval and the recommended age is 11+. A pre-show supper may be booked by contacting Keren Hayden at kerenhayden@gmail.com or 07968 753632.
On Friday 14th October at 7pm, the Merlin Theatre has a filmed theatre screening of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s King Lear, broadcast live from Stratford on Avon. RSC Associate Artist Antony Sher plays King Lear, one of the greatest parts written, in one of Shakespeare’s most epic and powerful plays, directed by RSC Artist Director Gregory Doran. Tickets are £16 and £10.50; running time is 210 minutes including interval.
