The Day After The Fair, Chesil Theatre, Winchester

A BITTER-SWEET romance is the theme of Frank Harvey's play, The Day After The Fair, superbly directed by Vera Williams.

Based on Hardy's On The Western Circuit, this play follows the fortunes of Anna, (Amy Bryant-Jeffries), an illiterate servant girl who meets a handsome barrister (James Gaynor) while at the fair.

By persuading her mistress to write love-letters on her behalf a romance blossoms, but between whom?

The whole company performed extremely well. Georgia Wright as Edith Harnham, with her excellent stage presence, gave a thoughtful performance, superbly conveying emotions of hope, confusion, love and despair. In contrast, Sarah (Philippa Tatham) was the comic element, offering wonderfully-timed glances and well-directed lines delivered with panache.