Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Something Rich and Strange

You could call Lisa Harrow and Roger Payne a global power couple. A former Royal Shakespeare Company actress who’s pals with Patrick Stewart, Harrow turned her efforts to environmentalism with her 2004 book What Can I Do? Payne, a world-renowned marine biologist and conservationist, co-discovered whale song. From their Woodstock home, the pair produce SeaChange: Reversing the Tide, a performance piece that combines Payne’s scientific knowlege and whale-song samples with Harrow’s readings of verse by Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry and the Bard. Its message? That humanity’s survival depends on Earth’s total well-being. Northern Stage hosts a one-night showing as a benefit for the SeaChange Institute, and tickets include a post-show reception, a copy of Harrow’s book, and entry in a raffle for a two-person whale-watch with the performers.