Wolds Words 2006
Interest in performances of Farmed Out at the Pride of Place Festival in Suffolk led to a commission from East Lindsey District Council to develop a new piece of community theatre based on conversations with farmers working in the Wolds of East Lindsey, North Lincolnshire. Working with a group of four teenage actors, the project culminated in a scratch performance at the Riverhead Theatre, Louth, as part of Wolds Words Festival, October 2006.
The piece was developed partly through improvisation with the teenage actors and partly through dramatised text drawn from interviews with farmers. In this way the social and economic history of families working the land in Lincolnshire was contrasted with contemporary issues highlighted by the farmers. The contemporary element that drove the drama revolved around the possible consequences of serious food shortages in UK towns.
The preview performance of Farming Stories as a work-in-progress was attended by many of the farmers that had given interviews for the project.
First performance: Saturday 21 October, 2006, Riverhead Theatre, Louth, Lincolnshire
Cast: Luke Malding, Nicki Pocklington. Wayne Rodgers, Scott Royle
Directed by Mark Hewitt and Sara Beasley
Supported by East Lindsey District Council