Work of legendary poet Ted Hughes comes to the South Yorkshire stage

Ted Hughes’ 1977 surreal poetic novel Gaudete is explored on stage for the first time since the 1980s in a visceral, physical theatre staging by international theatre company OBRA.

The Civic in Barnsley will host the play on Friday, March 24 at 7.30pm.

The company said its production “reimagines” the original work in a highly physical take on this rarely performed text, brought to the stage for only the second time since it was written. 

It tells how life in a Yorkshire village is shattered when elemental spirits replace the parish priest with his double. 

Alternative realities collide as this changeling interprets the gospel of love in his own alarming fashion. 

Originally written as a film in 1964 before Hughes, later Poet Laureate, re-wrote it as a novel in verse, OBRA’s initial version of the first part of the triptych, Act I: Prologue, appeared at the BE Festival in 2012, where it won a jury prize for Best Dramaturgy. 

This tour marks the first time that audiences can see both Act I and Act II.

The final act of Gaudete will be completed over the summer and all three acts of the triptych will tour during the autumn.

Tickets for the show, which is recommended for ages 16 and over, are £12 full price and £10 for concessions.