Frog in Love

FROG IN LOVE Recommended age group: 4-8 year olds Written and directed by David Farmer based on books by Max Velthuijs. Music by David Farmer. Edinburgh Festival and extensive UK tours. Also toured in translation by Akershus Teater, Lillestrøm, Norway. RUNNING TIME: 50 minutes. CAST: 3 actors (1M, 1F, 1M/F) and a musician Frog feels like laughing. Frog feels like crying. He goes hot, he goes cold and something goes thump-thump inside. Perhaps he has the flu - or could it be that Frog is in love?  Frog and his friends Duck, Pig and Hare have fun (and a scary adventure), learn about life and begin to grow up in this adaptation of seven popular stories featuring songs, music, mime and lots of gentle humour. Sunday Times Critics' Choice 2003 Time Out Critics’ Choice 2003

'David Farmer's direction encourages a sense of wonder and wit' - Sunday Telegraph 'Inventive, humorous and intelligent theatre that does not shy away from emotional issues' - The Evening Standard 'Frog In Love is a clever patchwork of seven stories. Music features heavily - guitar, clarinet, percussion and a storming harmonica solo at the end - and helps fuse the tales together. There is some social comment - rat is a traveller-cum-asylum-seeker initially scorned for "not being from round here" until he saves pig from drowning and everyone realises they shouldn’t believe what they read in tabloid newspapers - but mostly, it’s barnstorming entertainment for kids.' - Edinburgh Evening News.

Mouse and Mole

MOUSE AND MOLE Recommended age group: 3-7 year olds
Script and lyrics by David Farmer, based on books by Joyce Dunbar.
Music by Francis Goodhand.
RUNNING TIME: 45 - 50 minutes. CAST: 2 actors M/F and a musician.
New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich and UK tour.

A year in the life of unlikely housemates sensible Mouse and impulsive Mole, who go about their playful adventures, from dancing amongst the autumn leaves to greeting the first daffodil of spring - and nearly bumping into Father Christmas on the way.  Based on the popular books by Joyce Dunbar, the play explores the joys and problems of friendships. Poignant, lyrical and bursting with warm humour, Mouse and Mole is a special treat for young audiences.

'Truly a flatshare made in heaven... These humorous stories, adapted by David Farmer, make a cockle-warming valedictory show for Tiebreak Theatre Company. Liberal scatterings of boisterous play, whoops, squeaks and songs on stage prompt matching outbreaks of exuberance among the audience.'
- Time Out, March 2006. 

The Nightingale

THE NIGHTINGALE Recommended age group: 4-8 year olds
Written by David Farmer based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen.
Music by Kenny Forrest. Pre-recorded soundtrack available.
RUNNING TIME: 50 minutes. CAST: 2 actors M/F
Albany Theatre (London) and UK tour.

Inside the palace kitchen, the cook and the maid recount the story of the Nightingale using drama, mime and puppetry (with kitchen implements): An emperor locked away deep in his precious porcelain palace believes himself to be the wisest man in China.  Not until he hears the Nightingale's enchanting song of freedom does he realise there is more to life.  Enthralled, he tries to cage her, but she escapes, returning to him only in his hour of greatest need.

'Exotic delicacy... great invention...' - Time Out

My Uncle Arly

MY UNCLE ARLY Recommended age group: 7 years to adults.
Written by Shôn Dale-Jones and David Farmer.
Originally performed as a co-production by Hoipolloi and Tiebreak Theatre Companies.
Extensive UK tours included Edinburgh Festival, Royal Opera House, plus Los Angeles and New York.

A new tour is planned for 2009

'At last, the show we've all been waiting for. Bursting at the seams with theatrical energy and full to the brim with visual wit... a sensational piece of ensemble playing…utterly brilliant.'
Sunday Herald

'Endearingly unhinged... one of those shows that entirely defies categorisation. It is equally suitable for adults and children, and all it requires is an audience that is prepared to embrace the absurd. Unlike Queen Victoria we were much amused.'
The Guardian 

Jack and the Beanstalk

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK Recommended age group: 4-11 year olds
Written by David Farmer.
Music by Kenny Forrest.
RUNNING TIME: 50 minutes. CAST: 3 actors M/F and a musician
Lyric Hammersmith and UK tour.

Commissioned by the Lyric Theatre, Hammersmith for their studio theatre, the traditional story is told by three travelling players who swap hats to play the characters, using everyday objects to create puppets and props, with plenty of songs, atmospheric music, inventive staging and lively scenes.

'A beautifully imagined account of this children's favourite, performed with gusto and real storytelling suspense' - The Sunday Times

'Three travelling players arrive at a dilapidated inn and decide to earn their keep by telling us a story. From the moment they don their simple disguises the children are hooked and by the time the cow comes to be milked so are the parents. While this is not the traditional pantomime suggested by the title, it can be quite happily summed up as intelligent, humorous, inventive theatre for young people.'
- The Stage.

Further details
Review in The Stage 17/3/05 
Interview in the Derby Telegraph March 2005 

Suitcase full of Stories

SUITCASE FULL OF STORIES Recommended age group: 7-11 year olds
Written and directed by David Farmer.
RUNNING TIME: 45-50 minutes. CAST: 2 actors (1M, 1F)
Manchester Royal Exchange and UK tyour.

While clearing out an attic, Mr Mover and Miss Shaker find a suitcase which seems to have a mind of its own.  Inside are some mischievous spirits that involve the two unlikely storytellers in enacting tales from around the world, each related to an object in the suitcase.  Including lively and amusing tales from India, Africa, Russia, Korea and Great Britain about rats, cats, tigers, hippos, elephants, a strange visitor and a wise little girl.  The script lends itself to physical theatre, mime and storytelling and was accompanied in the original production by music from around the world.