Helen Edmondson's adaptation of George Eliot's famous novel follows simple girl Maggie Tulliver as she yearns for a life of art, learning, and love.

Says director Gordon Hamlin: "Eliot's masterpiece should have been hard to stage - but this intensely moving dramatisation is richly inventive, yet simple."

The show is a worthy successor to last year's literary feast, Tom Jones, and runs from Tuesday February 24 until Saturday February 28, starting at 7.45pm each night.

There's a strong female cast, with three actors all playing Maggie.

Cheshire Theatre Guild award winner Rebekah Manning, 15, joins newcomers Rachel Kirkcaldy and Josie Black to show three stages in the troubled lady's life.

Support comes from Don Hirst and Harlequins old hand Matthew Panesh.

It's worth noting that when George Eliot published the novel in 1860, no-one knew she was a woman. So watch out for some interesting observations on the role of women in society.

The first critic to spot the truth was fellow author Charles Dickens, who famously wrote to The Times newspaper that: "If George Eliot is a man, I'm a Dutchman."

The show's producers will also invite school parties and audience members to an aftershow discussion on Thursday February 26.

The cast and crew will discuss the issues raised by the story - as well as the general staging of the play.

Tickets (£4.50/£3.50) are available from Northwich and Sandiway libraries, Northwich Health Food Shop and the DAN office on 01606 41597.

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