Animal Farm is a stage adaptation of the famous story written by George Orwell, in which the exploited animals of Manor Farm overthrow the farmer in an attempt to win freedom for all animals. However, an elite cadre of animals gradually takes control of the farm, and the other animals realise they are not all as equal as they expected to be. It has been adapted for the stage by Ian Wooldridge and this political satire and allegory about Soviet communism was performed brilliantly by six actors: Samater Ahmed, Sam Black, Amy Drake, Polly Lister, Killian Macardle and Ida Regan, who all played different roles and vividly brought Orwell’s enduring tale about the corrupting effect of power to life.
A booming voiceover begins the show – six characters ominously enter the stage portraying the different animals of the farm, one of whom, the Major, also known as Willingdon Beauty, announces to his comrades that he wished to share his dream. He then delivers a stirring speech in which he declares his plan for a rebellion against the owner of the farm, Mr. Jones, and other humans to win freedom for all animals. This was well executed by Polly Lister, whose voice was crystal clear, and had the audience gripped from the start.
Three days later, the Major perishes, but his speech still lives in the animal’s memories and gives them a new outlook on life. The three most intelligent animals on the farm – Napoleon (Ida Regan), Snowball (Samater Ahmed) and Squealer (Killian Macardle), all pigs – begin teaching the animals a new system of thought – animalism – and seven commandments are issued: whatever goes upon two legs is an enemy, whatever goes upon four is a friend; no animal shall wear clothes; no animal shall sleep in a bed; no animal shall drink alcohol; no animal shall kill any other animal; and all animals are equal.
The animals carry out all the work on the farm themselves, but one in particular stands out, Boxer the horse, played by Sam Black, who is very convincing, wearing a horse head type helmet and making neighing sounds, which he kept up for the duration. He was also humorous and brought an element of comedy to a serious play, which the audience enjoyed. Other animals were portrayed using helmets and there were some very convincing chicken noises too.
Soon enough, the working hours begin to change and Snowball and Napoleon announce that they’ll be looking after the farm and gradually begin to assert control over the other animals.
A few scenes later, all the animals come on stage when the farm is attacked by humans and Snowball fights bravely, killing some and forcing the rest to flee. The fighting scenes are amazing, with dramatic music and dark lighting used to create tension. None of the scenes dragged and the action moved swiftly along.
Clover (Polly Lister) becomes curious about Mollie’s frequent disappearances, accusing her of allowing a human to stroke her. That is the last we see of her.
Snowball calls a meeting and declares his plan for a new way of working that will make the farm a better place: he wants to build a windmill. However, Napoleon disagrees and allegedly has him killed. The tide begins to turn after this as Napoleon and his comrade Squealer begin to take tighter control of the farm. Ida Regan and Killian Macardle are very persuasive as the two would-be tyrants, and their speeches are powerful. They even engage the audience at points, which added more humour to this otherwise harrowing story. Napoleon steals Snowball’s idea for a windmill and claims it as his own.
Towards the end of the play, the pigs begin to sleep in the farmhouse, learn how to walk on two legs (already being on two legs, the actors use stilts to demonstrate this), execute other animals, drink alcohol and wear clothes. They also change the seven commandments in their favour to suit their new circumstances and begin cooperating with neighbouring farms. Most of the animals end up dead (including Boxer) until there are only a couple left who remember the rebellion and its original purpose – Clover and Benjamin the donkey (Samater Ahmed).
The show closes with all the actors on stage and the spotlight on Napoleon, who delivers a speech, just like the Major did at the start. He declares that the farm will no longer be named Animal Farm. Henceforth, it will be known by its original name of Manor Farm, thereby symbolising how nothing has changed as a result of the rebellion.
So much is achieved on a small set and with a small number of actors. However, it’s executed perfectly, and it follows the book almost word for word. These days, you almost expect something like this to be foisting woke gobbledegook on the audience. But, no, this adaptation is faithful to the original and the message is surely as poignant today as it ever was. The lines are delivered coherently, the long speeches especially; performance were flawless and engaging and well-pitched. Animal Farm at Hull New Truck Theatre is highly recommended and a great way to spend an evening.
Jack Watson, who’s 15, has a Substack newsletter called Ten Foot Tigers about being a Hull City fan. You can subscribe here.
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