Farm Fatale
In Philippe Quesne’s vision of a post-apocalyptic, near-future, a group of poet scarecrows run an independent radio station, discussing their strange reality.
Five scarecrows – who have lost their original jobs thanks to climate change – come together in a commune, in the artificial setting of a white stage, with straw bales lying around like props from a bygone age.
These disarmingly funny characters are undeterred by the difficult conditions: rendered redundant, they focus on making demo signs and slogans, and blowing pop music into the airwaves via pirate radio.
Together they discuss potential forthcoming broadcasts. A feature on genetically modified carrots? A programme on cruelty? Insect deaths and pesticides?
In Farm Fatale, world-renowned French artist and director Philippe Quesne – celebrated for his hybrid, strikingly visual performances – envisions an absurdly charming universe, inhabited by gentle dreamers and activists who have an urgent ecological message for our times.
Philippe Quesne is one of France’s most internationally renowned theatre makers, having trained as a visual artist and worked as a stage and costume designer. His performance group Vivarium Studio, founded in 2003, consists of actors, visual artists, musicians and dancers. His productions have toured worldwide.
Need to know
This performance contains haze and bad language.
A post-show talk takes place after the performance on Friday 15 May.
Concept, Set Design and Direction: Philippe Quesne
Performed by: Léo Gobin, Sébastien Jacobs (part created by Stefan Merki), Nuno Lucas (part created by Damian Rebgetz), Anne Steffens (part created by Julia Riedler), Gaëtan Vourc’h.
Set design Collaborator: Nicole Marianna Wytyczak
Costume Collaborator: Nora Stocker
Masks: Brigitte Frank
Lighting Design: Pit Schultheiss
Sound Design: Robert Göing, Anthony Hughes
Director’s Assistant: Jonny-Bix Bongers, Dennis Metaxas
Dramaturgy: Martin Valdés-Stauber, Camille Louis
Stage Management: François Boulet
Lighting: Vincent Chrétien
Sound: Félix Perdreau
This show premiered on March 29th, 2019 for the repertory of the Münchner Kammerspiele, Munich, Germany.
Production of the Creation: Münchner Kammerspiele – Munich and Théâtre Nanterre Amandiers, CDN.
Production of the Tour: Vivarium Studio – Alice Merer
Image gallery
For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is home to both our second-largest auditorium and the Purcell Room.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.