David Farmer
David Farmer (born 9 July 1955, in London) is a theatre director, playwright, drama consultant and yoga teacher.
Biography
Trained as a primary school teacher, David Farmer worked first as an actor and teacher before setting up Tiebreak Theatre Company in 1981. Under his leadership, the company produced 65 productions for children and young people which toured across the UK and abroad. He left in 2005 to pursue a freelance career as writer and director. He also trains teachers in the use of educational drama and runs a drama resource website.
Writing and Directing
Selected Productions
- 2002 : My Uncle Arly by David Farmer and Shôn Dale-Jones. Royal Opera House, Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh and three UK tours. Tour of Los Angeles and New York. Co-production between Tiebreak Theatre and Hoipolloi.
- 2002 : Frog in Love written and directed by David Farmer based on books by Max Velthuijs. Edinburgh Festival and extensive UK tours. Time Out Critics’ Choice 2003. Toured in translation by Akershus Teater, Lillestrøm, Norway.
- 2000 : Jack and the Beanstalk written and directed by David Farmer. Commissioned by the Lyric Hammersmith. Two UK tours including residencies at Lyric Hammersmith, Watermans Arts Centre and Derby Playhouse.
- 1989 : Singing in the Rainforest devised and directed by David Farmer. Commissioned by The Natural History Museum, London. Six tours of the UK, US and Canada.
Reviews
"David Farmer's direction encourages a sense of wonder and wit." - Sunday Telegraph[1]
"This year’s outstanding show at the festival." - The Herald (on Singing in the Rainforest)
"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, My Uncle Arly is also a sensational piece of ensemble playing... Sensationally silly and utterly brilliant." - Sunday Herald (on My Uncle Arly)
"A clever collaboration between physical-theatre company Hoipolloi and the children's company Tiebreak, this is 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." - The Guardian (on My Uncle Arly)[2]
"A beautifully imagined account of this children's favourite, performed with gusto and real storytelling suspense." - The Sunday Times (on Jack and the Beanstalk)
"It can be quite happily summed up as intelligent, humorous, inventive theatre for young people" - The Stage (on Jack and the Beanstalk)
Publications
Educational and Art Form Theatre in 'Theatre for Children and Young People (Aurora Metro Publications 2005)
So You Think You Know Boal in Teaching Drama magazine (2006)
101 Drama Games and Activities (Lulu 2007)
Learning Through Drama in the Primary Years (Drama Resource 2011)
101 More Drama Games and Activities (CreateSpace 2012)
References
- ↑ "Edinburgh reports: marvellous shows for tiny people" Daily Telegraph, 3 August 2003. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ↑ "My Uncle Arly" The Guardian, 23 August 2003. Retrieved 1 September 2010.