Visitors to the Penrith and Burwarton shows this summer will be able to listen in to farmers’ own stories about their way of life. Pentabus rural theatre company will be touring their show ‘From Land to Mouth’ for a second year, giving voice to farmers with something to say about their work, and allowing them to explain why farming is more than just a job.

For the project, writer Bethan Marlow interviewed working farmers across the country. They spoke about food and fair prices, diversification and change, and about their hopes and fears for the future. Visitors to the show will be invited into a tented farmhouse kitchen, where, through headsets they can hear the original conversations voiced by professional actors. Over a glass of free old-fashioned lemonade and the chance to browse through pictures and articles that tell the story of farming over the last 50 years, audiences will listen to farmers’ thoughts on farming, in their own words.

The show initially toured in summer 2016, but will be returning to agricultural shows in light of its success. For those not attending shows, the project is also available as a series of podcasts, free to download for anyone from the Pentabus website.  

Commenting on the project, writer Bethan Marlow said, “This is a play that gives voice to what farmers want to say, what they need to say and what they felt isn’t being said about farming, particularly about the farming of tomorrow and the future.”