Comedy Created in Rural-Urban Mix
Reviewed by Mary Alderson
In Buying the Farm, a clever comedy now on stage at the Globus Theatre, an eager young real estate agent gets skunked at the end of act one. But no skunk appears on stage. Sadly, after the show on opening night, we learned why. The skunk met his fate on the road just a short distance from the theatre.
This demonstrates that the rural setting of Globus Theatre, inside The Lakeview Arts Barn, is the perfect place for Buying the Farm, a Canadian play, written by a couple from Toronto, who are very familiar with life in the country. Shelley Hoffman and Stephen Sparks, who were in the audience for the opening, have given us a realistic look at farm living, creating comedy with the contrast of an urban visitor, who is often called a “citiot” (city-idiot).
Real estate agent Brad Deacon shows up in his brand-new plaid shirt, jeans and cowboy boots to talk to older farmer Magnus Bjornson. Brad wants Magnus to sell the farm to his consortium of developers to build new homes – the ultimate in urban sprawl. Magnus’ great-niece Esme is working on the farm after dropping out of university for a reason she won’t share with the family. She verbally attacks Brad, whom she sees as an opportunist with no regard for the value of the land for producing food. Despite the fact that Magnus is quite firm, saying he will not sell, he seems to want to talk to Brad and resorts to ruses to keep Brad there, spending more time with him and Esme.
Brad gets his fancy duds dirty, with Esme pointing out that she knew they were expensive new clothes. When Brad says they were $200 jeans, she tells him to shop at Giant Tiger. When talk turns to birthing calves, or chopping chickens’ heads off, Brad is squeamish, showing he is really a “citiot”. The plot moves along with lots of humour and a few twists and turns until the happy ending is revealed. That’s all I can say without spoiling it.
Globus Artistic Producer James Barrett proves his ability to handle any role as he plays Farmer Bjornson. He looks suitably dishevelled in his overalls, and very farmer-like, always working and tinkering – stacking wood or fixing a gearbox. An audience favourite when he’s on stage, Barrett is perfect for the part, easy going, but with quick come-backs.
Michal Grzejszczak is ideal as the real estate agent—he has that smiling face you often see on agents’ business cards. If you were a fan of the TV show Modern Family, Grzejszczak’s Brad Deacon might remind you of the over-eager Phil Dunphy, always trying to please while putting his foot in his mouth. He has excellent comedic timing.
Mallory Brumm is the great-niece Esme, giving us a young woman who cares about her great-uncle and also enjoys teasing him. But her dislike of Brad comes on a little too strong, with so much anger that the truce in the second act is not believable.
This sweet and funny comedy is a real crowd pleaser. It was a full house at the Globus on opening night, with a coach bus visiting. As word spreads it may sell out. Well worth the drive to rural Bobcaygeon!
Buying the Farm continues at the Globus Theatre, Lakeview Arts Barn near Bobcaygeon, until October 5. Tickets are available by calling the Box Office at 705-738-2037 or 1-800-304-7897 or visit https://www.lakeviewartsbarn.com/globus-current-season
Photo: Michal Grzejszczak as Brad, James Barrett as Magnus, and Mallory Brumm as Esme. Photo by Rebecca Anne Bloom.
Buying the Farm
By Shelley Hoffman and Stephen Sparks
Directed by Sarah Quick
Performed by James Barrett, Mallory Brumm, Michal Grzejszczak
Globus Theatre, Lakeview Arts Barn, Bobcaygeon
September 25 to October 5, 2024
Reviewed by Mary Alderson