Thomas Hardy, the novelist and poet, had a deep fascination with Stonehenge, referring to it as the “Temple of the Wind.” This ancient site inspired much of his work, serving as a backdrop in memorable scenes and a connection to the past.
A unique performance showcasing Hardy’s life and writings is taking place at the Great Stone Circle in Wiltshire, part of the Salisbury International Art Festival.
Actors like Anton Lesser, known for roles in “Game of Thrones” and “The Crown,” will depict scenes from Hardy’s life while audiences listen through headphones.
An orchestra plays folk songs that Hardy might have known, with fragments of compositions from Gustav Horst and Peter Warlock mixed in.
Lesser described the performance, titled “Beautiful Thread: Thomas Hardy of Words and Music,” as filled with “love, life, laughter,” and humorously noted he felt he could “gig at stones” rather than just perform before them.
This is likely the first time Hardy’s life and works have been featured in such a manner at Stonehenge.
Reflecting on his experience, Lesser mentioned, “I was carried away” while exploring Hardy’s poetry. He compared poetry to a form of drama that can immerse a reader in a world quickly.
As he prepared for the performance, he found himself turning down pages of his favorite poems, which he noted were heavily marked—almost every page catching his attention.
Angelique Richardson, a professor at the University of Exeter and an expert on Hardy, discussed his fascination with Stonehenge. She noted that Hardy was intrigued by mysteries of the past and their lingering effects on the present.
In “Tess of the D’Urbervilles,” the central character encounters Stonehenge in a moment of despair, reflecting on its eerie beauty. Hardy described it as a place that resonates with a haunting melody carried by the wind, which contributes to its mystical atmosphere.
Richardson mentioned that Hardy often revisited the theme of Stonehenge and expressed a preference for the enigmatic qualities surrounding its history. He felt that visitors often misinterpreted the ruins, seeing them under the harsh light of noon.
He also wrote to the Times in the 1920s, advocating for financial support to protect the land around Stonehenge from development.
Richardson oversees a project at Exeter that aims to compile over 5,000 letters written to and by Hardy and his wives. His library at Max Gate in Dorchester features works about Stonehenge, including various guides.
Mark Chutter, Chairman of the Thomas Hardy Society, emphasized the significance of Stonehenge in Hardy’s writing, noting that he often presented his novels in a theatrical manner, making the performance at Stonehenge quite fitting.
“Beautiful Thread” will be performed at Stonehenge on May 28th and June 1st as part of the celebration for Thomas Hardy’s 185th birthday.
