Members of the Plowshare Farm life-sharing community in Greenfield and friends will perform the annual medieval “Shepherds’ Play” pageant Monday, Dec. 12, and Thursday, Dec. 15, at 7 p.m. at Union Congregational Church in Peterborough, 33 Concord St.
This play’s cast includes actors with and without developmental differences. It is an abridged version of the Oberufer “Shepherds’ Play,” a medieval mystery play. It depicts the tale of simple shepherds coming together and leaving their flocks on a cold and dark night to follow a bright star, a star which leads them to a warm stable filled with wonder and faith. The audience is encouraged to participate in a singalong which occurs between scenes and tells of the story to come.
Most of the play’s actors come from Plowshare Farm, a life-sharing community in Greenfield where people with diverse capabilities – including people with and without developmental special needs – live and work side by side. Plowshare is part of the worldwide Camphill Movement, which includes more than 120 communities across more than countries.
The local community tradition of gathering for the “Shepherds’ Play” began as an in-house production following the regular Monday evening community suppers at the Union Congregational Church. The annual production, now in its 20th year, is free and open to the public.
For information, call Plowshare Farm at 603-547-2547 or send email to events@plowsharefarm.org.