The Rural Voice, 1985-07, Page 33ing supper with the family he had
helped all day that he found out he
had gone to the wrong field for the
wrong family, Thompson relates with
a chuckle.
As the actors became part of the
community, they found the
characters for their play. "The
characters were so fascinating, they
imposed themselves on the play,"
says Thompson. When the audience
saw the first performance of "The
Farm Show" in Ray Bird's barn, they
recognized the characters as
themselves. "Some watched in
disbelief, others were embarrassed,
and others knew their turn was com-
ing," Thompson says. The characters
were reflected, not as in a
photograph, but rather as in a paint-
ing, says Thompson. People enjoyed
seeing themselves as the actors inter-
preted them.
The immersion of the actors in the
lives of the characters in "The Farm
Show" could be part of the magic this
production holds. Thompson has
used variations of that total
emergence in other productions, but
seldom does the entire cast have the
opportunity to be so close to their
subject and characters.
Jean Lobb, whose personality
helped to create a central character in
"The Farm Show," was one person
who wanted to see the production
return for the sesquicentennial of
Goderich Township. "You just can't
say "no" to her," Thompson says.
Nine area farmers, many of whom
have relatives portrayed in the play,
are producing the event. "We told
them to treat ticket sales like Kinsmen
tickets." They can "blackmail" and
sweet talk everyone they know into
coming to the performances. With
the impressive record of "The Farm
Show," selling tickets won't require
too much talking.
The farm community believes in
the show so much that 20 farmers are
backing the production with $1,000
each to guarantee the actors that
there won't be a loss. From the
response of the community,
Thompson is confident that there will
be excellent response to the produc-
tion.
Thompson and four other
members of the original cast are
returning to start rehearsals at the end
of June. David Fox, Fina MacDonell,
Anne Anglin, and Miles Potter are all
"originals" returning. Janet Amos is
working in an Eastern Ontario
Theatre and can't take part in the reu-
nion. Terry Tweed, who first acted in
Blyth in 1974 and was in "The Farm
Show" in 1975, rounds out the cast.
The show's original tour took the
actors to unusual settings, including
sales barns in Clinton, Listowel, and
Orangeville. It brought people to the
"theatre" who would normally not
have the opportunity to attend. It
gave the actors, many trained in the
traditional English style, a chance to
be part of a truly Canadian ex-
perience. "The Farm Show" toured
Scotland, England, Ireland, and
Wales under the auspices of the
Department of External Affairs in
1979. After its grand tour abroad, the
show's original cast went on to do
other projects, and they are to be
reunited again, appropriately, in the
humble surroundings of a public
works shed in Holmesville, not far
from where it all began.
"Some shows have magic. This
show has a most powerful magic,"
Thompson says.
As more than a decade has passed
since the original production of "The
Farm Show," a new generation will
enjoy seeing the characters of their
relatives, neighbours, and friends on
stage.
For more information about atten-
ding a lively part of the history of
Goderich Township on stage, call
519-482-5207.
This is a human tractor! Part of the appeal of "The Farm Show" is the im-
aginative creation of physical props. This play was first produced in the
Holmesville area in 1972 and went on to international acclaim. It's part of
the history of Holmesville and will be part of the Goderich Township ses-
quicentennial celebrations with 10 performances in the Goderich Township
Shed from July 11 to 18. These four members of the original cast have all
advanced to very successful careers, and each has returned for this special
performance of the play. At the left is Anne Anglin. Miles Potter has the
steering wheel in hand as Paul Thompson provides the adjustable tractor
seat. Fina MacDonell, to the right, completes the mechanics of the human
tractor. Janet Amos, now managing a theatre on the east coast, couldn't
join the original cast. Instead, Terry Tweed, who performed in "The Farm
Show" in 1975, rounds out the cast.
JULY 1985 31