A BAWDY romp through the life of an unrepentant roisterer storms its way into West Dorset this weekend.

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School is making its annual visit to the county and this time they are planning to set the stage alight with that most uproarious of tales – Tom Jones.

Expelled from Mr Allworthy’s country estate for his wild temper and sexual conquests, the good-hearted foundling Tom Jones loses his money, joins the army and pursues his beloved across Britain to London, where he becomes a kept lover.

Our hero’s actions were, in 1749, as shocking as they are funny today and joyously relevant to a modern day audience.

The performance is part of the Old Vic school’s annual visit to the West Country and as well as offering the chance to see some top-notch performances, it allows audiences to glimpse the big stage and screen stars of the future.

Actors who took their first professional steps at the school include Brian Blessed, Helen Baxendale, Daniel Day-Lewis, Patrick Stewart, Rupert Penry-Jones and Gene Wilder.

The Bristol Old Vic Theatre School was opened in 1946 by Laurence Olivier as a training school for the Bristol Old Vic Company.

It initially began its life in one room in a cramped building behind the Bristol Old Vic stage door and was affectionately then known as the ‘fruit school’ as it was close to the fruit and vegetable markets, which surrounded the theatre.

You can see Tom Jones at Bridport Arts centre on Saturday, May 21 at 7.30pm.

Arts centre manager, Jill Beed, said: “The Old Vic Theatre School is known for its excellence and innovation and we’re anticipating a great performance.”

Tickets are £12 plus concessions from the box office on 01308 424 204.