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2005

Harvest

Written by Richard Bean

Play Details

Context

Artistic Director 
Ian Rickson

Dates Performed

Friday 2nd September 2005
Jerwood Theatre Downstairs

Play Details

Synopsis

Yorkshire, 1914

William and Albert Harrison stand at a crossroads that will define their lives and the fate of their family’s legacy. It’s 1914, and as the shadow of World War I looms over their humble farm, they must make an impossible choice: who will stay to tend the land, and who will leave to fight for king and country? This decision, born of love, duty, and sacrifice, sets the stage for “Harvest,” a multi-generational epic that spans nearly a century of the Harrisons’ struggles, triumphs, and unwavering dedication to their way of life.

Across five masterfully crafted scenes, each a snapshot of a different decade, the Harrisons – joined by William’s fiercely loyal daughter Laura and the unforgettable, eccentric pigman Titch – navigate the turbulent tides of the 20th century. From the haunting aftermath of two World Wars to the relentless march of progress that threatens to swallow their cherished traditions, the Harrisons face every challenge with resilience, humor, and an unbreakable bond of family loyalty. As the play reaches its darkly comic and emotionally charged conclusion in 2008, with the once-thriving farm in disrepair and the family legacy hanging by a threadbare string, “Harvest” delivers a profound and poignant commentary on the changing face of British agriculture, the unyielding spirit of rural life, and the enduring power of love and sacrifice in the face of impossible odds.

Director(s)

Wilson Milam

Photo credit

All images credited to Manuel Harlan

Cast & Creative

Cast

Sharon Bower

Cast

Mike Burnside

Cast

Sian Brooke

Cast

Matthew Dunster

Cast

Gareth Farr

Cast

Craig Gazey

Cast

Jane Hazlegrove

Cast

Adrian Hood

Cast

Clare Lams

Cast

Paul Popplewell

Cast

Jochum Ten Haaf

Cast

Dickon Tyrell

Designer

Dick Bird

Lighting

Paul Keogan

Sound

Gareth Fry