Image: Photo: Bob Seary
This sprawling comic play follows four generations of a Yorkshire pig-farming family as they fight to protect their livelihood over the course of the 20th Century. Harvest depicts 100 years in the Harrison family and how they have survived throughout the decades.
“There are seven scenes throughout the hundred years going right up to 2005 and there’s seven life-changing milestones in the life of the family and their farm,” says Jeremy Waters, who portrays protagonist William Harrison.
The epic tale written by Richard Bean, the celebrated writer of One Man, Two Guvnors, infuses quirky humour and a deep understanding of family and human nature. Although the family faces hardship throughout the years, Harvest reveals the ironic and dry humour of the characters.
“It incorporates comedy largely through the world view of the characters,” says Waters, “You see the working life of this family on the farm but it’s infused with a really nice sense of ridiculousness, some of the situations are pretty crazy.”
The humanity, humour and storytelling have mass appeal to the audience and who doesn’t love an underdog story? (CT)
Oct 7-Nov 8, New Theatre, 542 King St, Newtown, $17-32, newtheatre.org.au
BY CIARAN TOBIN
