Parenting, May 1999 This lengthy British production will surely try some kids' patience, but those who stick with it—particularly children interested in theatre—will be richly rewarded. Four young actors, who play a total of nine roles, demonstrate protean skills through a range of dialects and characterizations, in what turns out to be a galvanizing production of the Thomas Hardy novel. The cast captures all the drama and passion of the story about a young woman pursued by three very different men. Grade: A —Jeff Unger

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