REVIEW: Animal Farm at The Loft Theatre. Leamington, gives enthusiastic portrayal of George Orwell’s classic tale

“Animal Farm was the first book in which I tried, with full consciousness of what I was doing, to fuse political purpose and artistic purpose into one whole.” George Orwell

At once funny and frightening, delightful and devastating, Animal Farm charts the fall of idealism and the rise of tyranny, after the animals of Manor Farm rise up against their oppressive human owner in a struggle for rights and equality.

Peter Hall’s critically acclaimed adaptation of Animal Farm, originally staged at the National Theatre in the 1980s, successfully translated Orwell’s political allegory to the stage.

Fresh and witty, whilst remaining true to the savagery of Orwell’s satirical novel, it features a narrator and a cast of animals, effectively using music and physicality to convey the story’s themes of revolution, power and corruption.

Through text and song the play illuminates perfectly the succession of steps through which by persuasion, lies, force and propaganda, some of the animals become “more equal than others”.

This amateur production of “Animal Farm (Hall)” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals Ltd. on behalf of Samuel French Ltd. www.concordtheatricals.co.uk

Running time two hours 20 minutes including a 20 minute interval

Warning: performance contains flashing lights, haze and smoke effects.

Director's Notes

Manor Farm is owned by the cruel Mr. Jones, with little care for the suffering of his animals. Unrest and rebellion are stirring amongst the pigs and sheep, horses and cattle. No longer can they tolerate the injustice.

So begins the story of George Orwell’s world-famous 1945 novel Animal Farm, and likewise this theatrical and musical adaptation by Peter Hall, originally staged in 1984 at the National Theatre. Ever since its publication, the story has bristled with political parallels, most notably Orwell’s withering view on how Communism corrupted itself.

To some degree, this analogy sustains, but in this third decade of the 21^st century, there are profound new resonances that speak afresh to current generations. Firstly, in the wave of far-right autocrats, who profess to speak for ‘the people’, galvanizing their nations by what should be ‘feared’ beyond their borders. Secondly, in a growing awareness of our relationship to and stewardship of the natural and domesticated world and the injustices we may be inflicting upon it to sustain our consumerist lifestyles.

This adaptation of the text has been created by the cast in tandem with the director, with a strong emphasis on ensemble physical theatre. Beyond the characters portrayed, the actors’ fashion many of the scenic elements within the play as well as performing all the songs live. Remaining on stage throughout the entire show, this is a feat of endurance, collaboration and creative invention for the entire cast. On that note, as director, it has been my genuine privilege to work alongside this creative team of cast, stage management, movement advisor and technical designers, and I wish to thank them for all their hard work and the embrace of uncertainty.

Long live this Animal Farm!

Mark Crossley, Director

REVIEWS

Reviews

Animal Farm review “it’s fast, it’s concise, it’s entertaining……. and a very different theatrical experience” – Ann Evans: elementarywhatson.com Read Full Review

Review Cultures Coffee: “ What the Loft has produced is nothing short of phenomenal .” – Georgina Monk: Cultures Coffee Read Full Review

“A timely retelling of classical political satire” – Nadia Sayed: Leamington Nub News Read Full Review

“This production is not one to miss!” – Roe McDonnell: Read Full Review

“The large ensemble, every one precisely and meticulously directed by the Loft’s vividly inventive Mark Crossley.” – Roderick Dunnett: Behind the Arras Read Full Review

“Top notch performance of timeless and pertinent story” – Charles Essex: Warwickshire World Read Full Review

Four stars – Animal Farm, The Loft Theatre, Leamington, until 31st January

HARD work will pay off when the revolution comes, just don’t let a group of devious pigs manipulate you.

A tale of class and political struggle, Animal Farm reflects the events leading up to and including the 1917 Russian Revolution and the terror of Stalin’s reign.

Set on a 20th century British farm, the tale has been energetically adapted for the stage by Peter Hall, director Mark Crossley and The Loft Theatre Company.

The cunning nature of the pigs, and the way in which they oppress the rights of the other animals first expressed by Old Major, an elder pig given life by Elaine Freeborn, when he talks of his dream at the very beginning, is woven in throughout the performance.

Napoleon, the figurehead of the revolution at the farm, is superbly portrayed by David Bennett, as a pig who doesn’t say too much. He didn’t need to, not when his spokesperson/enforcer/spin doctor Squealer (Laura Hayward-Smith) was on hand to do his talking.

Her performance was a standout amongst some strong presentations – at every turn she used her wily levels of manipulation to dampen down any threat of revolt from the rest of the animals as the pigs take control.

She was able to run mental rings around the others, and was always at least one step ahead with a cheeky arm around their shoulder.

‘Four legs good, two legs bad’ is the slogan that sums up the tale of Animal Farm, a basic principle of the ‘Animalism’ ideology created by the pigs.

The sheep, portrayed prominently by Blake Hutchinson, bleated this slogan out with an almost chilling effect, a reminder to the animals of what was drilled into them at the start of the revolution. It also serves as a reminder of how this initial motto gets manipulated.

Blake also turned his hand to playing the two main human roles, the first the drunken Farmer Jones who slept away whilst his animals plotted his demise and that of mankind.

One thing I didn’t expect a whole lot of was singing. Orwell’s novel has just one song – ‘Beasts of England’ which is adopted by the animals as their anthem. What I did see at the Loft was bursts of tunes to bring a splash of colour when it came to giving an insight into each of the animals.

Sage Woore took on two roles with equal enthusiasm. Firstly Mollie, a vain show horse that in the end can’t resist the attention of humans, and then Minimus, an addition to the group of pigs on the farm who is a poet and relentless propagandist, driven forward by Napoleon and Squealer.

Sage’s voice was incredible, whether belting out poetry by the piano as Minimus or singing about the many ribbons in her mane as Mollie, she was able to change gears quickly and smoothly.

The pigs keep getting greedier whilst the rest of the animals work themselves almost to death, but despite this their food rations keep being reduced.

Mark Roberts is Boxer, the strong and sturdy workhorse of the farm. He brings a nobility to the role, and whilst it’s easy to feel sorry for his repeated ‘I must work harder’ attitude and blindness to how the pigs are manipulating him, he is a figure the other animals love and respect.

The Loft’s production portrayed the original lessons intended by Orwell, and did so with a colourful approach. The cast were able to put their own stamp on roles, with some taking me on a rollercoaster of emotions throughout the night.

On Animal Farm, Orwell himself was quoted as saying it was “the first book in which I tried, with full consciousness of what I was doing, to fuse political purpose and artistic purpose into one whole.”

In this adaptation, that fusing, has been respected and nurtured by a passionate cast.

Tickets for the final shows can be purchased via The Loft’s website.

– Patrick Hollis: Stratford Herald

CAST & CREATIVES