REHEARSALS are well under way, costumes have been fitted and altered, and lines – almost – learned – which is just as well as the opening night of Spinning the Moon, Dorchester’s community play, is coming soon.

What makes this play so special for everyone involved is that it was set to be performed in 2020, but was brought to a grinding halt three weeks before opening night by the first Covid-19 lockdown.
But dedication and determination stayed strong among the cast of more than 90 people of all ages and experience, and once the all-clear was given they regrouped and restarted rehearsals.
Spinning the Moon, which opens on Tuesday, April 4, is set around Wolfeton House, near Dorchester, at the end of the Wars of the Roses.

Battlescarred Lord Trenchard returns home, only to find his lands have been mismanaged by his steward and the family faces ruin.
The steps taken to save the family finances affect everyone who lives on their land and as the play unfolds fortunes rise and fall as local society implodes.
Add into the mix some less than brotherly monks from Abbotsbury, along with a bunch of cunning women looking to improve their position by fair means or foul, a devious servant and a completely unexpected visitation from far-flung places, and you have an utterly captivating play that blends history with fiction and tells its tale of poignancy and drama with power and humour.

The play is written by Stephanie Dale, directed by Peter Leslie Wild, movement director is Penny Levick and the musical director is Tim Laycock, assisted by Alastair Simpson.
Stephanie said: “When we were shut down by the first lockdown we were all devastated and didn’t dare hope we would ever get the play to the stage, but now, seeing it come together week by week as rehearsals progress, is the best feeling in the world. Everyone is determined that this play will be worth the wait.”
Spinning the Moon would not have happened at all if not for the hard work that has gone on behind the scenes to secure funds, make sure safeguarding protocols are in place and keep momentum going during the lockdown lull.
This has all been done by a hard-working team of volunteer board members of Dorchester Community Play Association, led by Rowan Seymour.
The play is at the Thomas Hardye Theatre in Queens Avenue, Tuesday to Thursday, April 4-6, at 7.30pm, Saturday, April 8, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm, and Monday to Saturday, April 10-15, at 7.30pm.

Tickets are £16 plus concessions and family rates and are available from Dorchester Arts in High East Street, Dorchester. Phone 01305 266926 or visit www.dorchesterarts.org.uk
This is a promenade performance, and audience tickets are standing only. Anyone with specific accessibility requirements – such as mobility, audio or visual needs – should contact Dorchester Arts in advance and it will endeavour to accommodate you.