Fall Play Review: The Birds | Avon Old Farms News | About Us | Avon Old Farms

This fall, the Old Farms Theater Company took to the Adams Theater stage for a two-night run of The Birds, an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's short story, which was also the basis for Alfred Hitchcock's classic film. The show was a gripping, unsettling, and moving look at human relationships during a time of societal collapse.

“In school theater, I believe there’s an obligation to use your play as an opportunity to challenge not only your actors, but also the audience, to think deeply about the characters, the plot, and the underlying message,” comments Theater Director Gwen Couch. “Teens typically enjoy psychological dramas, and this also had the slight horror component to it which I thought would work well for our fall production. As an English teacher, I also especially liked that this adaptation followed the original story more closely than the film had done. I really enjoyed the page-to-stage aspect of it.”

Set in a world where unexplained bird attacks have become frequent and deadly, the one-act story centers on Diane (Miss Porter’s senior Sophia Cepeda) and Nat (Avon Old Farms senior Jonn Lee). The two strangers are both seeking refuge in an abandoned house in New England, shortly after Y2K. They find relative sanctuary but not comfort or peace: there’s no electricity, little food, and the looming question of whether they should stay or go. As they navigate survival in this isolated space, they grapple with tension, fear, and their own vulnerabilities, both from the threat outside and from each other.

Gwen also says that she was so happy to have senior Joon Lee as Nat, his first time fulfilling a lead role. “He truly earned this role, after his time spent in the ensemble before, completed an AIP as a playwright last year, and even conducted his own one-act show last spring. It was a joy to see him truly take on the role of this somewhat pathetic character, who was stuck between two very strong females. But the slightest movements he applied to the role really illustrated his understanding of the character, and as his director and advisor, I couldn’t have been more proud of his growth in this show.”

The pair of Nat and Diane is soon joined by Julia (Miss Porter’s senior Emma Willis), a young woman who disrupts the fragile balance in the house, leading to suspicions and complicated dynamics as the three try to coexist. As the three forage for supplies in nearby homes and businesses, it also becomes apparent that a fourth person is sheltering nearby, Tierney (Avon Old Farms freshman Patrick Peng). Their survival becomes even more doubtful when paranoia takes hold of the makeshift fortress—an internal threat to match that of the birds outside.

“Once we had our cast, I knew this show would be challenging but rewarding. There was a lot to the production, both emotionally and physically. But each of our seniors had worked together in production before, and our newcomer, Patrick, really jumped into it from day one. While he had no show experience, the rest of the cast really supported him, giving their time and talents generously to help Patrick find a home on the Avon stage,” explains Couch.

The play builds on du Maurier’s suspenseful tone, focusing not only on the threat of the birds but on the characters' unraveling and the atmosphere of paranoia. McPherson’s adaptation adds depth to each character’s backstory, making the interactions and secrets between them as terrifying as the world beyond their shelter. “This was an intense show to produce, but it was an overwhelming success,” says Couch. “From Patrick on stage to our newcomers in the sound and lighting booth, not a cue was missed.”

Next up, the Old Farms Theater Company will bring a taste of Percy Jacskon to the Adams Stage in the musical Lightning Thief. The story follows a 12-year-old boy who discovers that he is a demigod and goes on a quest to find Zeus' missing lightning bolt and prevent a war between the Greek gods.

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