THE rural surrounds of the Three Counties Showground provide the backdrop for an outdoor production of Far From the Madding Crowd.

Thomas Hardy's classic novel has been adapted for the stage by Malvern writer Ali Gorton and will be performed by her company, Theatreworks.

It tells the tale of Bathsheba Everdene (Basienka Blake) who refuses the hand of a humble shepherd who loves her and leaves her Dorset home to begin a new life as mistress of her late uncle's farm.

Its setting makes the novel an ideal choice for staging outdoors, said Ali.

"All the settings are exterior so we don't need to do anything with scenery - it's all there."

It is also a favourite of hers.

"You've got to love a book to be able to adapt it and to be fair to the writer," she said. "We were very keen in this production to be true to what we think Thomas Hardy would have wanted. But he draws such beautiful characters for you, that it's really quite easy to play."

The production toured for two years with a cast of 14. The current one has been scaled down to just six actors, including Malvern's Tarquin Shaw-Young, as Joseph Poorgrass, Miles Chambers as Shepherd Oak and Ali herself as Marianne.

It begins its tour at Corfe Castle, Dorset, tomorrow (Saturday) before coming to the showground at 7.30pm on Saturday, July 9 and again on Wednesday, August 10.

Tickets cost from £9 for adults and from £5 for children from 01684 584924.

An outdoor production of Shakespeare's Macbeth comes to Eastnor Castle on Friday, July 8.

The Lord Chamberlain's Men attempt to recreate the world of Shakespearean theatre as accurately as possible, with historically correct costume, music, dance and stage-fighting.

The matinee is at 1.30pm and tickets are all £10. The evening performance is at 7.30pm and tickets are £18 for adults and £10 for children. Call 0870 8704151.