Tess of the D'Urbervilles Musical World Premiere

A new musical adaptation of Thomas Hardy's novel Tess of the D'Urbervilles will receive its world premiere at the New Wimbledon Theatre Studio in south-west London on 4 September 2014, following previews from 2 September, running to 27 September 2014.

Presented by Stepping Out in association with Partisan and Fallen Angel Theatre, this new musical adaptation features a book, music and lyrics by Alex Loveless, and direction by Chris Loveless who last worked together on the 2010 production of 'The Remains of the Day' at the Union Theatre.

The cast includes Jessica Daley (Tess), Nick Hayes (Angel), Martin Neely (Alec), Luka Bjelis, Catherine Digges, Marc Geoffrey, Emma Harrold, Sarah Kate Howarth, Guy Hughes, Jessica Millward, and Alex Wingfield.

Set against the beautiful backdrop of nineteenth century Wessex, Tess of the D'Urbervilles follows the fatalistic journey of a young fallen woman, who is taken advantage of, but ultimately takes control of her own life and fate. Hardy's most famous Pastoral novel has been adapted numerous times, but this marks the first musical adaptation of the classic love story.

Composer Alex Loveless is the recipient of a Vivian Ellis Prize for most promising newcomer, the Howard Goodall Award for composition, and is a professional writer associate of and reader for Mercury Musicals Development.