The New Hardy Players return with another play by Dorset’s most famous author and are performing it across the county.

Thomas Hardy’s ‘The Distracted Preacher’ is one of his lesser known short stories and a break from his more famous tragedies such as Far from the Madding Crowd and Tess of the D’Urbervilles, as it is a comedy.

Mr Andy Worth, Chairman of the New Hardy Players, insists the author was actually a humourous person, describing him as “impish”. “Though the film makers tend not to focus on that bit,” he added. In particular Mr Worth points to The Mayor of Casterbridge, which the Players portrayed in 2008, “there are pointers so you know when the humour is coming up. He wasn’t as maudlin as the academics claim.”

Not that the Players only have books, plays and films to base their opinion of Hardy on. Their patron, Mrs Norrie Woodhall, 104 years-old, is the last surviving member of the original Hardy Players, who were directed by the writer himself towards the end of his life. This allows the acting company to “try to get to the bone of it,” said Mr Worth, “the way we know it ought to be done.”

But this doesn’t mean the Players can’t take artistic licence with the story. The play’s director, Mr Tim Laycock, has also given the romantic tale of smuggling a musical twist, drawing on his own background as a folk singer.

However, there is a sad story underlying the production. ‘The Distracted Preacher’ was adapted to theatre by the late Mr Ray Sargent, a musician and performer originally from Poole, who died in 2008. “It is a tribute to Ray,” said Mr Worth.”But what we wanted to leave some time,” he added, and this year Mr Laycock said he wanted to do the story, which was “the right moment”.

The New Hardy Players were formed in 2005 and have performed versions of Return of the Native, Under the Greenwood Tree and The Mayor of Casterbridge . Much of the money they raise goes to charity. They’ve collected £15,765 over the years for the local Weldmar Hospicecare Trust. In April, they made national news when they helped the Dorset County Museum raise more than £50,000 to buy back original manuscripts of Hardy’s stage adaptations.

‘The Distracted Preacher’ is performed outdoors and kicked off in Bridport last week, though the end was spoiled by rain. Forthcoming dates are at Corfe Castle on the 20^th June, Dorchester Borough Gardens on 27^th and Lulworth Cove green on 2^nd July. The Dorchester event will be free, but with a bucket collection. For all other dates, tickets are £7 for all other dates. For more information about the event and how to buy tickets, click here.

The Players will also be performing The Mayor of Casterbridge at The Lighthouse in Poole on the 23^rd July and at the United Church in Dorchester as part of the Hardy Festival on 25th July .