Animal Farm – Stratford East

George Orwell’s Animal Farm was published in 1945, in a world radically different from the modern political scene. Much may have changed in that time, but the themes of human nature, the lure of power and greed remain scarily relevant.  Tatty Hennessy’s revised working of Orwell’s iconic novel highlights the changing work landscape, the loss of an industrial base, the realities of factory farming, and the roles of equality and fairness in society.

On the run-down Manor Farm, owned by cruel farmer Jones, the animals long for a world in which they can be equal, free and happy. Major, the elderly and respected boar, calls on the animals to work together to overthrow the farmer. On Major’s death, Napoleon and Snowball, two young pigs, assume the informal leadership of the group and organise the rebellion which succeeds in chasing Jones from the farm. 

At first, all is well. Food is plentiful and the animals work well together to keep the farm going, based on a set of core principles agreed by all. But the weather is against them. They suffer setbacks, losing food stores and heading for starvation. After Snowball suggests modernising the farm by building a windmill to secure their future, Napoleon plants the seed with the other animals that Snowball is trying to undermine them with the long-term windmill project. He hints that Snowball is a traitor, claiming that he is working for Jones against the revolution. The disinformation rapidly takes hold and Napoleon seizes control by having his dog, Blue, attack Snowball and throw him off the farm.  Gradually, Napoleon assumes more and more control and as he does so, he and his lieutenants amend the core principles of the animal revolutionaries, leading eventually to the Orwell’s most memorable phrase, “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.”  Napoleon effectively becomes Jones, works with the farmers and betrays his comrades and their “Four legs good, two legs bad” philosophy.  He puts them in an even worse situation than they had suffered previously, but he doesn’t care. The play is an extremely effective portrayal of how power and the smell of money can corrupt and lead to the betrayal of principles and core moral values.

The ensemble cast are spectacular: bold, energetic, emotional and with just sufficient animalistic characteristics and noises to be thoroughly believable as pigs, horses, donkeys and hens. Kane Husbands’ creation of an ever-moving scenario, with fast-paced and slo-mo sequences, and Kate Waters’ wince-inducing fight sequences keep the audience on the edge of their seats.

Director Amy Leach has created a gripping, physical and highly kinetic production that hits the audience from the first minute and doesn’t let up until its final, heartbreaking moment. No punches are pulled in the depiction of animal cruelty, factory farming, disinformation, gaslighting and how the worst people/animals can seize power while persuading the creatures around them that they aren’t seeing what their eyes are telling them. The power of the “fake news” mantra.

Orwell’s tale originally focused on the Russian Revolution and the rise of Stalinism. Eighty years on it is as powerful a warning as ever about overweening power concentrated in the hands of a few.

Animal Farm is at the Stratford East Theatre until Saturday, 8th March.  Tickets are on sale from: https://www.stratfordeast.com/whats-on/all-shows/animal-farm

Reviewer: Carole Gordon

Reviewed: 13th February 2025

North West End UK Rating: