City Farm

City Farm is a fantastic little play about issues close to my heart, stewardship of the environment and how our actions today will influence our future. Set in a future with cities so polluted you can’t breathe the air, City Farm tells the tale of Jed, the city boy who finds himself moving to the country after he wins a farm.

Jed soon discovers that farming isn’t all about sitting under a tree (Mel the Melaleuca), but actual hard work. Between the sheep, the cows, the sowing and the harvesting Jed finds himself opting for the easier technological fix, technologies that come with problems of their own.

This play humorously and effectively sets out its message, despite being targeted at a younger audience, parents, teachers and other adult-types are well catered for. My friend and I were laughing more often than our younger fellow audience members. Jesse Butler as the computer and guitar-playing cow is particularly funny.

City Farm effectively engages not only the young but the old as well. Locally written and produced City Farm has humour, an important message and appealing characters. Complex issues are dealt with deftly, if somewhat simply, but it suits a young audience. I also like that there was an environmental scientist on hand to answer questions the audience might have after the show.

Perfect for school groups and families City Farm is a charming and entertaining show. If you have the time this weekend, take the kids and make a family outing of it.