DORSET has a lot of Iron Age hill forts. Locally-based theatre company Dorsetborn is touring a highly praised new play that uses this atmospheric setting for a play that asks deep questions about the meaning of friendship. The tour is at Dorchester Corn Exchange on Tuesday 12th and two Artsreach dates, Langton Matravers village hall on Wednesday 13th and Ibberton village hall on Saturday 16th. (Other dates below).

1am. An Iron Age hillfort in North Dorset. Away from dysfunctional families and small-town gossip, Viv and Daisy can be entirely themselves. With so much beyond their control, Fort is their stomping ground … their escape … until the ghost turns up.

Best friends for as long as they can remember, their bond has survived school bullies, witchcraft, jealousy and vengeful cows. But at the end of a summer when everything is changing, can it survive the ghost?

Dorsetborn is an associate company of the National Youth Theatre, which creates new work across Dorset and the South West. Fort is Tabitha Hayward’s debut play, inspired by the people and places around us, about two girls who’d do anything for each other. Originally drafted on a Royal Court Introductory Group, Fort was long-listed for the Bruntwood Prize 2022 and shortlisted for the Masterclass Pitch Your Play Award.

Other local dates for the tour are the Ustinov Studio at Bath Theatre Royal on Tuesday 19th November, Poole Lighthouse on Thursday 21st, Palace Court Theatre, Bournemouth, on Friday 22nd and the Ancient Technology Centre, Cranborne,on Saturday 23rd.