Stage Review ANIMAL FARM
 |
| The cast of Animal Farm Derby Theatre 2024 Photograph by Pamela Raith |
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Writer, George Orwell (1903-1950) presented his well documented theories of political manipulation in the unusual format of farm animals becoming self governing in his acclaimed novel Animal Farm. The dramatisation for stage is an adaptation by Ian Wooldridge.
Overview
The pigs possess higher intelligence than the other animals and so they set about putting forward seven commandments as a code to live by in order to achieve a life on the farm that would work for all. Therefore, in the beginning, all the animals share an ideology. They believe, in the absence of humans, that liberation and freedom will be achieved and that their farm society will be equal. After Old Major (Polly Lister) dies, a hierarchical.jpeg) |
| Ida Regan as Napolean (centre) and Killan McCardle (Squealer) Animal Farm at Derby Theatre 2024 Photograph by Pamela Raith |
Later, the pigs move into the farmhouse and gain human like privileges for themselves while others do the hard graft. Along the way it is clear that Mollie (Amy Drake) misses human interaction too much; Snowball (Samater Ahmed) is used as a scapegoat for every wrong doing; Boxer (Sam Black) is put upon; and so it goes...divide and rule tactics where those who waver or who do not comply to the rules are made examples of or become enemies of the 'state'. Squealer (Killian McCardle) helps to deliver the brainwashing messages to the subservients who do all the work and are hungry and suppressed. Gradually the commandments are 'rewritten' intepreted to suit an agenda. Animal Farm is a parable that represents the totalitarism rule and its crudity.
Comment
As well as serving the bold entrances of the speech making pig bosses, and, likewise, the swift exits of those dispatched, a row of tall revolving panels are multifunctional with each having a written commandment on its front in lettering that glows in the dark stage setting, a static set installation with moving parts that allows a certain flow and energy to the storytelling.
The pigs and the work horses are identified by sculptured head pieces worn by the actors and which also form part of the staging as they hang suspended on wires like creepy masks, other characters are identified mainly through props and through devised movement and action.
The music is interesting in composition and lively; the players give accomplished performances of the songs.
The Director, Iqbal Khan's, says in his notes, that his aim was to find (along with the company and creatives) imaginative and meaningful ways to retell the story and this has been achieved because despite its fatalistic context this play is amusing at times and completely enthralling.
Review by theatre critic, Debra Hall, who attended the press night performance of Animal Farm at Derby Theatre on 29 February, 2024 at 7pm
References
Derby Theatre INVITE REMINDER - ANIMAL FARM at Derby Theatre (08 Feb 2024)
Derby Theatre Animal Farm production photography (21 Feb 2024)
Derby Theatre programme Animal Farm (2024)
Derby Theatre https://derbytheatre.co.uk/event/animal-farm/
google.com
.jpeg)
Comments
Post a Comment
POST your comment here: