No way this could possibly go wrong....

[oursin]

(Larfs liek a hysterykle drayne.)

Life and work of Thomas Hardy to be performed at Stonehenge: Readings and performances will be staged at the ‘misfortune of ruins’ that long fascinated the writer.

The novelist and poet Thomas Hardy was fascinated by Stonehenge, using what he described as “the temple of the winds” both as a setting for one of his most striking scenes and as a lifelong inspiration, a pathway back into ancient times.
In what is being billed as a unique performance, the life and work of Hardy is being showcased at the great stone circle in Wiltshire as part of Salisbury international arts festival.
....
An orchestra will play music, ranging from the sort of folk tunes Hardy may have been familiar with to pieces by Gustav Holst and Peter Warlock.
....
It is believed to be the first time that a performance incorporating Hardy’s life and work has been staged at Stonehenge.
Lesser said: “Hopefully* it’ll be lovely weather and you’ll have this marvellous atmosphere as the evening develops with the light changing and these wonderful words of Hardy.”

*Cue: Thunderstorms! Torrential rain! Unseasonal snow! First earthquake ever recorded in Wiltshire!

I don't suppose they are going to represent Hardy in his lighter and realistic vein:

Watch on YouTube

I.e. successful ruined maids who go and live a profitable life of vice in Dorchester.

Comments

[princessofgeeks]

So I can't stop thinking about Monty Python now.

[sartorias]

AIYEEE! Someone wants to live dangerously, heh.

[kore]

Lordy, WHAT

[oursin]

'Tis tempting the purblind doomsters!

[nineweaving]

The last time I heard "The Ruined Maid," was at a funeral. Now that's an in memoriam!

Nine

[oursin]

That makes my thought of having The Girl I Knew look fairly tame!

[egret]

Thanks for this video! *adds to intro to lit playlist*

[shadowkat]

Oddly, I do not associate folk songs with Thomas Hardy or Stonehenge. Ruined women, rape, and men forcing people into marriage - yes. But I've admittedly yet to make it through any of Hardy's books. I tried. I failed. The Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey fandom were quite enamored of Hardy for reasons I'm not certain I understand.