David Woodward went to see the production at the Watermill Theatre, Bagnor near Newbury. The play runs there until 14th March, before transferring to Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake from Thursday 26th March to Saturday 18th April.
Production images (c) Pamela Raith Photography
Lark Rise to Candleford at the Watermill Theatre, 6 February to 14 March, 2026
A co-production with Theatre by Lake in association with Hammerpuzzle Theatre Company
Flora Thompson’s semi-autobiographical description of her upbringing in a quiet corner of north Oxfordshire was first published in form of a trilogy which originally appeared between 1939 and 1943. Thompson writes fervently of all that was good in her working class upbringing amongst the rural poor in a hamlet she called Lark Rise, close to the fictionalised town of Candleford. As much as she adored the simple life of the countryside, Thompson made sure to show that country life was also mean and cruel. Candleford represented everything that a rustic existence was not: sophistication, opportunity and connection with the literary world.
The BBC updated the story for a modern audience in two popular TV series which appeared between 2008 and 2011. This updating is taken further in this new and uplifting stage version by Tamsin Kennard. Thompson’s central character, Laura, and the town post mistress Dorcas, become ‘New Women’ who ‘dare to stand alone’. Dorcas even warns Laura that ‘we are not the marrying kind’.
Kennard is also the show’s composer and musical director. The cast are all singers and instrumentalists. Expect some beautiful and evocative tunes gleefully performed with great affection by this talented company.
Direction is by Bryn Holding. The show sits beautifully in the rustic environment of the Watermill Theatre, twice awarded ‘Theatre of the Year’ in the last three years. Interestingly, the cast remain on stage throughout, and even as observers they are consistently both animated and engaged.
Jessica Temple’s performance as Laura is the strong centre around which the rest revolves. Alex Wilson plays Laura’s adored brother Edmund with great warmth and conviction. In a memorable phrase, these are characters ‘sprung from the earth’. Rosalind Ford, Christopher Glover and Rosalind Steele all give their own admirable performances.
There are many stand-out scenes in this highly enjoyable show, but a particular highlight for me was Laura’s meeting in Candleford with a literary-minded journalist from Birmingham. Zrey Sholapurkar was excellent in this role.
Amongst the musical highlights was a splendidly boisterous rendition of a song that celebrates the village pub. Anna Kelsey’s appealing set design is detailed and perfect for the Watermill stage.
Although the linear narrative predominates in this new adaptation, the somewhat modernised voice of the novelist Flora Thompson is also heard on stage. Were these interventions entirely necessary? Certain phrases like ‘societal pattern’ sat oddly in this context.
Early on in the play, Laura’s mum asks of her daughter’s precocious talent, ‘what use is clever?’ Cleverness makes for enjoyable theatrical experiences and the entire team behind Lark Rise to Candleford deserve much congratulation for crafting this glowing production.
WATERMILL THEATRE
FRIDAY 6 FEBRUARY – SATURDAY 14 MARCH
THEATRE BY THE LAKE
THURSDAY 26 MARCH – SATURDAY 18 APRIL
