Thomas Hardy's much-loved classic is brought dramatically to life in this thrilling new production which fuses vivid story-telling, live folk-song and humour in a dynamic ensemble staging.

Having inherited her father's farm, a spirited and feisty young woman - Bathsheba Everdene, finds herself playing mistress in a man's world. She is pursued by three would-be lovers: the constant shepherd, Gabriel Oak; the obsessive landowner, William Boldwood and the reckless Sergeant Troy. But are any of them a match for the wilful Bathsheba?

Based upon one of Hardy's most popular and enduring novels, Far from the Madding Crowd takes us on a theatrical journey through Hardy country, following a passionate young girl propelled into womanhood by her experiences of love and loss.

Presented by English Touring Theatre and directed by Kate Saxon, Mark Healy's powerful and evocative adaptation of Hardy's classic toured throughout the UK in 2008 to massive acclaim. Other landmark ETT productions include Peter Hall's Uncle Vanya with Neil Pearson and Nicholas le Prevost, Entertaining Mr Sloane with Imelda Staunton and Mat Horne, the soul-funk musical Been So Long at the Young Vic, Latitude and Edinburgh festivals, Roger McGough's The Hypochondriac and Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath with Sorcha Cusack and Christopher Timothy.

Captured live at The Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford, November 15th 2008