THOMAS Hardy's classic tale of love and obsession comes to the stage at Exeter Northcott next week before embarking on a nine-date UK tour.

The English Touring Theatre production of Far From the Madding Crowd is at the Northcott from Thursday, September 11, to Saturday, September 27.

The production includes live folk songs and stars Stephen Billington, from Coronation Street, as William Boldwood.

Far From the Madding Crowd is set in a fictionalised version of rural Dorset in the 19th century and tells the story of Bathsheba Everdene, an attractive young woman of property who inherits her father's farm.

Headstrong and passionate, Bathsheba comes to Weatherbury and attracts three very different suitors.

There is the loyal and constant shepherd Gabriel Oak, the reclusive gentleman farmer William Boldwood and the dashing but reckless Sergeant Troy.

All pursue the elusive Bathsheba, whose pride and inexperience spell tragedy as she all but destroys her chance of true love.

Thomas Hardy's reputation as one of the 19th century's leading novelists was established with the publication of Far From the Madding Crowd in 1874.

It is the first of what became known as his Wessex Novels, set in a fictitious English county closely resembling Hardy's native Dorsetshire.

Acting alongside Stephen Billington are Rebecca O'Mara as Bathsheba Everdene, Phil Cheadle as Gabriel Oak and Adam Croasdell as Sergeant Troy.

Playing other roles are Jennifer Bryden, Jack Sandle, Cleo Sylvestre, Ewan Wardrop, Ruth Westley, Noel White, Gareth Williams and Johnson Willis.

The novel was adapted for the stage by leading playwright Mark Healy and the production is directed by Katie Saxon.

Mark Healy's other theatre writing credits include adaptations of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility and Persuasion for Exeter Northcott, John Fowles' The Collector and The French Lieutenant's Woman, Bram Stoker's Dracula and Dante's Dream.

Mark is also an actor and appeared in three of Exeter Northcott's open-air Shakespeare in the Gardens productions, including playing the title role of Hamlet.

Performances start at 7.30pm. There are matinée performances on Saturday, September 20, and Saturday, September 27, at 2.30pm, and on Wednesday, September 24, at 1.30pm. There will be post-show discussions after the Wednesday matinée and the evening show on Thursday, September 25.

Tickets range between £12 and £20 with concessions available Monday to Thursday. Under-16s tickets are half price.

For more information, phone the box office on 01392 493493 or visit www.exeternorthcott.co.uk.