'TESS' - Classic Narrative and Bold New Collaborative Interpretation

Fostering cultural capital is a key part of our commitment to providing a holistic education. 

We were delighted that students not only had the opportunity to attend a performance of "Tess," Ockham’s Razor's innovative circus adaptation, but also participated in a special workshop with Alex Harvey, the show's co-director. This event offered a rich blend of literary heritage and contemporary performance art to encourage our students to engage with diverse artistic expressions.

The adaptation of "Tess" by Ockham’s Razor offered our students an unforgettable theatrical experience. This acclaimed production, fresh from a hugely successful 2024 tour, transformed Thomas Hardy’s poignant novel, Tess of the D’Urbervilles, into a circus spectacle. Students witnessed an ensemble of performers weaving together Hardy’s narrative with breathtaking physical feats, embodying the story's themes of power, loss, and endurance. This powerful retelling captured the novel's beauty, heartbreak, and yearning, whilst nuanced female relationships, consent, privilege, and poverty were explored with contemporary relevance.

Adding to this enriching experience, two groups of our student performers participated in an exclusive workshop led by Alex Harvey, co-director of "Tess." The workshop focused on how an ensemble develops, devises, and works together, offering students a hands-on opportunity to explore collaborative theatre-making. Students created a short performance with Alex, who provided invaluable professional feedback, directly enhancing their understanding of real world theatrical skills and teamwork. 

Going forward, students will now select a character from the novel to explore further within their studies, deepening their connection to this powerful story and the art of performance.