source: Farm and Food Report
“Farmer Joe is tired of losing his shirt on the farm so he plants the ultimate cash crop….” Talk about an attention-grabber. Farmer Joe and the Money Trees is Dancing Sky Theatre’s latest offering and yet another collective creation that is likely to hit home like no other, according to Meacham resident, actor and director Angus Ferguson.
“We stage entertainment that is tailor-made for rural Saskatchewan,” Ferguson says. “Our plays reflect what rural people experience. When you look at most television programming today, 90 per cent of what is aired targets urban audiences. There is very little out there that addresses rural life. We wish to change that.”
Ferguson explains that Farmer Joe and the Money Trees is a humorous and thought provoking look at priorities and values. The play is performed in the style of old English pantomime and loosely based on the story of Jack and the Beanstalk.
“Pantomime lends itself extremely well to stories such as fairytales because it is a form of theatre that is extremely accessible,” explains Ferguson. "It’s great fun really. Think of it along the same lines as harlequin, burlesque and sketches. Its roots are hundreds of years old, but it is still relevant today because it speaks to the people and is clearly identified with the Christmas season back in England. Except that we are really creating our own rural Saskatchewan version in this case.”
The artists and the community behind Dancing Sky Theatre have much to be proud of. The company was started 10 years ago. The plays are staged in the old Ukrainian Orthodox Hall completed in 1925 and moved to its current location from four miles away in the early 1950s. The place is equipped with a traditional proscenium stage, but seating can be arranged in a variety of configurations, depending on production requirements. Up to 115 guests at a time have attended performances there.
An evening with Dancing Sky may involve a home-cooked meal served right in the hall.
“We are well aware of the needs of rural people who must drive long distances to go places,” Ferguson says. “Between 60 and 70 per cent of our audience is rural, with about 30 per cent who drive 40 minutes from Saskatoon. People who come from Watrous, Bruno or Lanigan appreciate having a meal before the performance.”
The Meacham-based professional theatre company prides itself in hiring only Saskatchewan actors. Farmer Joe and the Money Trees may well be the perfect Christmas present for rural families, but really, everyone is invited as long they want to have fun and their heart is in the right place. Performances will take place December 3 to 19. Tickets are available by calling (306) 376-4445.
For more information, contact:
Angus FergusonDancing Sky Theatre
(306) 376-4445
www.dancingskytheatre.com
“Farmer Joe is tired of losing his shirt on the farm so he plants the ultimate cash crop….” Talk about an attention-grabber. Farmer Joe and the Money Trees is Dancing Sky Theatre’s latest offering and yet another collective creation that is likely to hit home like no other, according to Meacham resident, actor and director Angus Ferguson.
“We stage entertainment that is tailor-made for rural Saskatchewan,” Ferguson says. “Our plays reflect what rural people experience. When you look at most television programming today, 90 per cent of what is aired targets urban audiences. There is very little out there that addresses rural life. We wish to change that.”
Ferguson explains that Farmer Joe and the Money Trees is a humorous and thought provoking look at priorities and values. The play is performed in the style of old English pantomime and loosely based on the story of Jack and the Beanstalk.
“Pantomime lends itself extremely well to stories such as fairytales because it is a form of theatre that is extremely accessible,” explains Ferguson. "It’s great fun really. Think of it along the same lines as harlequin, burlesque and sketches. Its roots are hundreds of years old, but it is still relevant today because it speaks to the people and is clearly identified with the Christmas season back in England. Except that we are really creating our own rural Saskatchewan version in this case.”
The artists and the community behind Dancing Sky Theatre have much to be proud of. The company was started 10 years ago. The plays are staged in the old Ukrainian Orthodox Hall completed in 1925 and moved to its current location from four miles away in the early 1950s. The place is equipped with a traditional proscenium stage, but seating can be arranged in a variety of configurations, depending on production requirements. Up to 115 guests at a time have attended performances there.
An evening with Dancing Sky may involve a home-cooked meal served right in the hall.
“We are well aware of the needs of rural people who must drive long distances to go places,” Ferguson says. “Between 60 and 70 per cent of our audience is rural, with about 30 per cent who drive 40 minutes from Saskatoon. People who come from Watrous, Bruno or Lanigan appreciate having a meal before the performance.”
The Meacham-based professional theatre company prides itself in hiring only Saskatchewan actors. Farmer Joe and the Money Trees may well be the perfect Christmas present for rural families, but really, everyone is invited as long they want to have fun and their heart is in the right place. Performances will take place December 3 to 19. Tickets are available by calling (306) 376-4445.
For more information, contact:
Angus FergusonDancing Sky Theatre
(306) 376-4445
www.dancingskytheatre.com
Comments