Set in the Oxfordshire countryside at the end of World War Two. Graham Harvey brings to life the true story of a land girl who goes in search of the best-selling author who transformed the way we farmed the land in post war England.One of two London-born brothers, George wrote The Farming Ladder in 1944 telling their story, of a dream that had come true.

In 1924, even though they had no experience, they had scraped together enough cash to pay for a small rented Cotswold farm, just as farming was entering the deepest of recessions.

Yet their methods turned it into one of the most productive in all of England. By the time of World War Two, when embattled Britain faced starvation, farmers by the bus-load visited the little farm to see for themselves how farming might be done at a time of crisis.

George’s book brought together wisdom about farming, anecdotes of Cotswold life and concerns for the future of the land. More than anything it offered a dream of a better life. It was an immediate hit and many of the 100,000 hardback copies sold were bought by service men and women who shared that hope.

The story moves between the 1940s and the current day, reflecting that the love of the countryside, the need to protect it and issues of national identity, are timeless

Graham Harvey will be taking part in an after-show conversation – included in the ticket price – where he will discuss the issues in the play… and all things Ambridge!

The show features live music composed and performed by Alastair Collingwood and is directed by James Le Lacheur, who has recently spent a year in London’s West End in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Elizabeth is played by Rebecca Bailey.