Animal Farm (tour)
With theatre listings filled with classic plays and novels updated for young
Audiences, it would be very easy to dismiss Northern Stage’s Animal Farm as yet another all smoke and mirrors production. It certainly appears flashy at times but there is more to it than many vapid, glossy remakes.
Ian Wooldridge has managed to add something new to the classic book
without once attempting to dilute the original message. George Orwell’s
evergreen novel is still a popular GCSE text and much celebrated the world
over. Whilst watching this spirited production you get the feeling that the
author himself would be very proud of this new and dare I say improved
version.
Orwell’s attack on liberal thinkers who damn one regime but ignore another
manifests itself on a farm where the animals are a commodity and money is
the name of the game. Once the animals start to rebel they each become power
crazy. After a while it is clear that as the leadership changes, the rules
of the farm become blurred. Each animal realises that they must fight for
survival – they are not as equal as they once believed.
This clever swipe at how the masses accept each message being peddled to
them in different dressings is given a new lease of life by Northern Stage.
The stunning set has depth and an eerie quality which is complemented by
Tina MacHugh‘s intense lighting and Rob Brown‘s chilling sound effects.
The whole ensemble cast display physical prowess, bundles of energy and the
ability to convince the audience they are animals. This works even though
each of them is dressed as a human. Franciso Alfonsin is the star of the
piece as he plays Boxer the ageing horse with real compassion and verve. The
audience on the night I attended seemed very moved by his character’s
plight.
Never before I have seen a play with so much to say in 90 minutes delivered
with such precision, energy and love for the original text. This production
is sexy, funny, moving, and often thought provoking.
Neil Murray‘s expert direction ensures that you will not look at
your watch once. In fact this one of those rare productions that you will
not want to end.
Glenn Meads
