Written By
Sheila Freeman and Raymond Sergent
Where and When
21st June 1990 @Moors Valley Country Park, West Moors
22nd – 23rd June 1990 @ Walford Mill, Wimborne
The Plot
A selection of scenes, sketches and music to celebrate the life, times and achievements of Thomas Hardy.
Ticket Information
Cast
- Elderly Man – Hugh Brasnett
- Ancient Gaffer – Joe Brooks
- Johnny – Jim Ruegg
- Liz – Carolyn Woodward
Scene from The Mayor of Casterbridge
- Michael Henchard – Herman Swoboda
- Susan – June Easden
- Elizabeth Jane – Lara Hill
- The Sailor – Martin Strange
- Martha – Barbara Trebilco
- 1st Farmer – Paul Hewitt
- 2nd Farmer – Chris Bunn
- 1st Woman – Christine Matthews
- 2nd Woman – Jan Stevenson
The Distracted Preacher
- Richard Stockdale – Paul Hewitt
- Lizzie Newberry – Barbara Hurst
- Mrs Simpkins – Margaret Pope
- Martha Sarah – Helen Wood
- Mary Ellis – Louisa Elliot
- Rose Dominey – Clare Miller
- Susan Willis – Julia Dryden
- Jane Rigler – Suzanne Elliot
- Jim Owlett – Tony Feltham
- Tom Batcher – Jim Ruegg
- Matt Grey – Mark Robbins
- William Dominey – Joe Brooks
- Mrs Dominey – Pam Feltham
- Tom Hardman – Herman Swoboda
- Latimer – Howard Lovejoy
- John Bagg – Chris Bunn
- Excise Man – Norman Nicholas
- Beak – Mark Robbins
Scene from The Fiddler of the Reels
- Car’line Hopcroft – Carolyn Woodward
- Carrie – Lara Hill
- Ned Hopcroft – Herman Swoboda
- Mop Ollamore – Richard Allen
- Bill – Paul Hewitt
- Luke – Chris Bunn
Hikers, Fair Folk, Customers, Smugglers, Excise Men, Singers, Drinkers and Dancers
- Angela Carmel
- Blanche Cavanagh
- Julia Dryden
- Thelma Dryden
- June Easden
- Louisa Elliot
- Suzanne Elliot
- Pam Feltham
- Shirley Ilott
- Clare Miller
- Margaret Pope
- Johanna Pope
- Jan Stevenson
- Joe Brooks
- Barbara Hurst
- Christine Matthews
- Kristina Benbow
- Barbara Trebilco
- Helen Wood
- Chris Bunn
- Tony Feltham
- Paul Hewitt
- Adrian Howe
- Howard Lovejoy
- Nicholas Norman
- William Pope
- Mark Robbins
- Martin Strange
- Carolyn Woodward
- Julie Feltham
- Herman Swoboda
- Jim Ruegg
Creative Team
- Director – Enid Davies
- Stage Managers – Angela Carmel and Carolyn Woodward
- ASMs – Joe Brooks, Jim Ruegg, Mark Robbins, Adrian How and Martin Strange
- Properties – June Easden, Christine Matthews and Pam Feltham
- Lighting – Chris Richards and Louise Eaton
- Sound – Muriel Brooks and Phil Bellchamber
- Set Painting – Thelma Dryden
- Prompt – Yvonne Goodman
- Music Adapted by – Francis Davies
- Front of House – Dapne Young and Kristina Benbow
- Poster Design – Paul Hewitt Snr.
Preview
Play celebrates the life of Thomas Hardy
Wimborne Drama Group is joining celebrations of the 150th anniversary of Thoas Hardy’s birth by putting on a special production. The Man Who Noticed Such Things is being performed at Moors Valley Country Park barn, near Ashley Heath, on June 21 at 7:45pm and at Walford Mill, Wimborne on 22 and 23, also at 7:45pm.
It was written by Sheila Freeman and Ray Sargent, both from Ferndown, and includes anecdotes concerning Hardy’s life, and excerpts from his novels, short stories and poems. Among the scores of actors taking part will be Hugh Brasnett, who has written a pictorial guide about the famous author.
And helping to provide music and dancing will be the Bourne River Morris group.
The three-act play is produced by Enid davies. The first and last acts are set around Victorian and modern day fairs while the middle one is based on the author’s short story The Distracted Preacher.
Press officer Jan Stevenson said “We just wanted to celebrate the anniversary and do something for that”. Tickets £3 for adults and £2.50 for children) are available from Moors Valley or Walford Mill.
Gallery
Reviews
Thomas Hardy’s Spitting Image
Thomas Hardy author Hugh Brasnett brought the famous Dorset novelist to life – by playing him on stage. And he was so convincing that amazed Wimborne acting colleagues hailed him as the spitting image of Hardy, who was born 150 years ago.
To celebrate the anniversary, Mr Brasnett has just had the second edition of his book “Thomas Hardy, A Pictorial Guide” published. Mr Brasnett, 64, of Lodge Road Holt, shaved off his beard – which he had for 35 years – and grew his moustache longer for the lead role in The Man Who Noticed Such Things.
“It was remarkable. When I got into a 1920s suit with a boater and walking stick it was amazing. Everybody said’it is Thomas Hardy himself’.” Mr Brasnett, a retired engineer and design business boss, said he enjoyed Hardy’s Dorset descriptive writing.
The Wimborne Drama Group show was performed at Moors Valley Country Park on Thursday and Furzehill council chambers on Friday and Saturday.
Programme
