Theatre Royal Windsor – until Saturday 15th March 2025
Reviewed by Liberty Noke
4****
Far From The Madding Crowd is the latest stage adaptation of Thomas Hardy’s classic novel. The stage is set as you walk in with bales of hay and the play opens with a short musical number. The actors play the accordion, flute and guitar and sing a short melody before the action begins.
We are introduced to Bathseba (Abi Casson Thompson) who is staying with her aunt on a farm and Gabriel Oak (Joshua Davey), a Shepherd from a nearby farm. Gabriel falls in love with Bathseba and ask her to marry him. She flirts with him and leads him on a little but never lets him get too close. When she inherits her uncle’s farm Gabriel comes to work for her but she also meets Sergeant Francis Troy (James Sygrove) and William Boldwood (Ross Muir) both of whom fall instantly in love with her. Bethseba flirts with all of her suitors but doesn’t commit to any of them it seems she has all the power. That is until she married Sergeant Troy in the second act.
The 5 actors play many characters, including animals at some points which added a welcome element of humour. All 5 actors are incredibly talented and I found the use of costumes and accents meant that the audience did not get confused.
This is a classic love triangle with many twists and turns. Classics can have a reputation for being boring and difficult to follow but I found this utterly captivating and the language used was not at all difficult to follow and understand making this accessible for all generations. The short musical interludes helped to break up the scenes which I really enjoyed. The music chosen was also in keeping with the time and the genre and would help indicate the passing of time. For instance the holly and the Ivy was sung to indicate Christmas had arrived.
It is easy to see why a story first told over 100 years ago still captivates audiences today. Bathseba is a strong willed independent and likeable protagonist that women of this age can relate to. She knows her own mind and is firm with her suitors and independently manages the farm, unswayed by the disapproving stares of those at the market. Her relationship with Liddy (Emily Hunter) is so important. We see them giggle together as they talk about sending a valentine to Farmer Boldwood and are reminded that Bathseba is a young woman who can enjoy herself. We also see her jealous side when she discovers the lock of hair in Sergeant Troy’s (Joshua Davey) pocket. All of this makes her a likeable and relatable character and that I believe is why the story has remained so popular.
Nick Young and Ross Muir have done an excellent job of adapting this play allowing a new generation to be inspired by Bathseba while staying true to the original text.