Overview
Synopsis
In 1891, Thomas Hardy’s novel Tess of the d’Urbervilles: A Pure Woman Faithfully Presented shocked Victorian audiences with its frank criticisms of Victorian moral hypocrisy. In 1925, Hardy wrote this stage adaptation for the Hardy Players, an acting troupe dedicated to staging his popular novels.
Tess Durbeyfield is a simple country maiden with strict ideas about moral pureness. After her family learns of their ancient aristocratic line of the d’Urbervilles, she is sent to the home of Alec d’Urberville, both to claim kin and potentially earn a husband. Instead, Tess is seduced by the rakish Alec and returns home pregnant, believing herself to be corrupted and unfit for love. Only Angel Clare, a caring man studying to be a gentleman farmer, convinces her otherwise. But Tess’ heartbreaking journey is only beginning, and reaches its conclusion at the altar of Stonehenge. Tess of the d’Urbervilles is a story of romance, rejection, grief, and forgiveness—a timeless classic of the Victorian era.
Show Information
- Book
- Thomas Hardy
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Tess of the d'Urbervilles, novel by Thomas Hardy
- Category
- Play
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 5
- First Produced
- 1925
- Genres
- Drama
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Wessex, England, 1880s
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- None
- Dancing
- Optional
- Licensor
- None/royalty-free
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Female, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Late Teen, Young Adult, Adult, Mature Adult, Elderly, Early Teen Characters, Large Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Female |
Non-singer |
|
|
Featured |
Either Gender |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
A theatrical movement developed alongside naturalism, which aimed to be more truthful to real life through texts and performances.
Relating to the reign of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) or a person who lived in the Victorian era.
Videos
Quizzes
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Cindi Calhoun
Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress