Thomas Hardy's epic love story, 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' is transformed into a stunning musical which sweeps across the turn of the 19th century, transporting us into the romantic world of Hardy's Wessex, a world full of love, humour and beauty. 

Evoking the physical passion and romantic landscape of the original novel, Stephen Edwards' musical adaptation of 'Tess Of The D'Urbervilles' was conceived for the stage with producers Karen Louise Hebden and Bruce Athol MacKinnon over a five-year period. After various work shops and a new libretto by Justin Fleming, the musical was cast in April 1999 with Philippa Healey and Poppy Tierney alternating the title role alongside Alasdair Harvey as Alec D'Urberville and Jonathan Monks as Angel Clare.

Between September and October 1999, 'Tess' toured the United Kingdom, opening at the Sheffield Lyceum to sensational reviews. Critics declared the production "visually stunning" and a "landmark in musical theatre". 'Tess' transferred to the West End, opening at London's Savoy Theatre on November 10th, 1999 and was soon after branded "the last great musical flop of the Millennium". The London critics were unanimous in their damning of the large-scale through-sung musical and audience numbers subsequently dropped. The show closed on January 15th, 2000 after just 77 performances.

Stage Door are pleased to present a full length album of 'Tess Of The D'Urbervilles' with highlights from the complete unreleased 1998 studio cast recording (featuring Cathy Sara as Tess, Mark Umbers as Angel and Martin Crewes as Alec) alongside the original 6 track EP as recorded by the Original London Cast.
 

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TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES - LONDON CAST
Music: Stephen Edwards Lyrics: Justin Fleming
Recorded at Angel Studios, London - October 14th, 1999
01. WHO'S SPINNING THE WHEEL? - Philippa Healey 
02. DO I LOVE HER? - Jonathan Monks
03. GUIDE, PHILOSOPHER AND FRIEND - Philippa Healey, Jonathan Monks 
04. SAVE MY SOUL - Alasdair Harvey
05. LEAVING THE PAST BEHIND - Philippa Healey, Jonathan Monks, Alasdair Harvey
06. I HAVE YOUR LOVE - Philippa Healey 

TESS OF THE D'URBERVILLES - STUDIO CAST
Music: & Lyrics: Stephen Edwards
Recorded at Angel Studios, London - April 2nd, 1998
07. WATER MEADOWS - Eliza Lumley, Heather Craney, Deborah Stokes
08. I'D MARRY HIM TOMORROW - Eliza Lumley, Heather Craney, Deborah Stokes
09. CAN I TRUST HIM? - Cathy Sara
10. IN THE TWILIGHT OF THE MORNING - Mark Umbers, Cathy Sara 
11. THE WEDDING - Eliza Lumley, Heather Craney, Deborah Stokes
12. I FEAR HIS GAZE - Cathy Sara 
13. CHASEBOROUGH MARKET - Company 
14. THE OLD CHASE WOOD - Cathy Sara, Martin Crewes
15. SORROW - Cathy Sara
16. BIRDS OF THE NORTH STAR - Eliza Lumley, Heather Craney, Deborah Stokes
17. THRESHING FIELD - Martin Crewes, Cathy Sara, Company
18. COME BACK TO ME - Cathy Sara
19. RIVER OF REGRET - Mark Umbers 
20. ANGEL RETURNS - Mark Umbers, Cathy Sara, Martin Crewes, Deborah Stokes
21. STONEHENGE - Cathy Sara, Mark Umbers

RELEASE DATE: SEPTEMBER 29th, 2014
CATALOGUE #: STAGE 9036
BARCODE: 5055122190363

All tracks licensed from Stephen Edwards