Annabel Soutar’s acclaimed documentary play Seeds has been updated by Chris Abraham, artistic director of Crow’s Theatre. Canadian icon Eric Peterson plays the role of Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser. Seeds’ new version is presented in Toronto at the Young Center for the Performing Arts from February 18th to March 10th. In the Fall of 2012, a French version will be coproduced by Porte Parole in Montreal.

Named the Best English Production of 2005 by the Association québécoise des critiques de théâtre (AQCT) and nominated for Best Original Script in 2005 by the Académie québécoise de théâtre, Seeds is a dramatic re-enactment of the 4-year legal battle between Saskatchewan farmer Percy Schmeiser and one of the biggest biotech corporations, Monsanto Inc.

This is how Chris Abraham sees it: “I’m thrilled to be introducing Toronto audiences to playwright Annabel Soutar and her remarkable piece Seeds. When I read it for the first time, I couldn’t put it down. Her dogged pursuit of the truth (…) is entirely gripping, as are her observation of the social and political implications of the paradigm shift in genetics happening under our feet. I can’t wait for the conversation and debate that will be sparked by this show.”

Based on court trial transcripts, interviews with Schmeiser, Monsanto representatives, and with farmers, academics, lawyers and scientists from all across Canada, Seeds leads us through a suspenseful labyrinth of legal conflicts around patent rights, scientific showdowns about GM food, and property clashes between farmers and the biotechnology industry.

The French version of Seeds will be created by Montreal playwright Fanny Britt, whose most recent play Enquête sur le pire played to rave reviews at Théâtre Aujourd’hui in April 2010.