Edinburgh is buzzing with excitement as the acclaimed Brazilian adaptation of Michel Marc Bouchard’s Tom at the Farm gears up for its much-anticipated UK premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2025. Running from July 30 to August 24 at the EICC, this production has already captivated over 150,000 theatergoers across three continents, positioning itself as a highlight of the festival.
With a host of international accolades, including “Best Foreign Show” from the Quebec Theatre Critics Association and a “Coup de Cœur” at Festival Off Avignon 2022, Tom at the Farm arrives in Edinburgh after a decade of sold-out performances. Critics have hailed it as “violent beauty bordering on the sublime” (La Terrasse) and a “theatrical hit” (Le Monde), consistently receiving standing ovations.
The play explores the tumultuous journey of Tom, an urban advertising executive who visits a remote farm after the death of his lover. There, he confronts a stark reality: his lover’s mother is unaware of her son’s true identity, while his aggressive brother is determined to keep this secret buried. What unfolds is a gripping psychological thriller where themes of patriarchy, desire, and the perilous quest for truth collide.
Brazilian actor Armando Babaioff, moved by the line “homosexuals learn to lie before they learn to love” from Bouchard’s original work, led the charge for this adaptation. In a country grappling with alarming rates of LGBTQ+ violence, Babaioff aimed to share this story with a broader audience, universalizing its message while removing regional specifics. Under the direction of renowned artist Rodrigo Portella, the raw emotion is amplified by a minimalistic, mud-laden stage design, creating a hauntingly urgent production. Bouchard himself commended it as “one of the most beautiful and powerful productions” of his work.
More than a mere drama about homophobia, Tom at the Farm delves into themes of systemic control and repression, with the farm symbolizing deep-seated intolerance. Amid a global surge in populism and political unrest, its themes resonate more strongly than ever. Supported by Brazil’s Ministry of Culture, this production represents a significant cultural and political statement, marking a decisive shift from the previous administration’s rhetoric and reaffirming Brazil’s presence on the global cultural stage.
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