Animal Farm Archives - North West End UK

3Apr

By Jenn McKeanNo Comments

North West

Animal Farm – Liverpool Playhouse

All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others. As to be expected from a play, based on a novel by George Orwell, Animal Farm is a dystopian social commentary, that allegedly refers to the Russian revolution of 1917. It tells the story of Old Major, Napoleon, Snowball and the other animals of Manor Farm wanting to overthrow the human owner – Mr Jones and become free and self-sufficient. The production is one that would definitely be approved by Orwell himself, with a clever set designed by Ciarán Bagnall, which you don’t think would be much, as it is all set on the farm. But the moving parts that were added in – to create the windmill and show the commandments were clearly so well thought about and came across so well throughout the performance. It is truly...

17Mar

By Paul ClarkeNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Animal Farm – Leeds Playhouse

People can be beasts so what better way to explore the mysteries of the human psyche than through a bunch of animals who rise up to take over a farm. George Orwell’s Animal Farm was on one level an allegory as anthropomorphic animals banish their brutal human masters to create their own society, but underneath the metaphors it remains a pin sharp examination of human nature. The novella was inspired by Orwell’s experiences in the Spanish Civil War when Stalinist zealots undermined the leftist Popular Front letting Franco’s Fascists take power and serves as a salient reminder that it takes only one monster to smash democracy. Animal Farm is celebrating its 8oth anniversary just as populism rears its ugly head across the world, so there has rarely been a more important time for it to b...

Leeds Playhouse’s Animal Farm nominated for an Olivier Award

7Mar

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Leeds Playhouse’s Animal Farm nominated for an Olivier Award

Leeds Playhouse’s co-production with Stratford East of Animal Farm has been nominated for an Olivier Award in the Best New Production in Affiliate Theatre category. As George Orwell’s classic novel celebrates its 80th anniversary it’s been adapted by Tatty Hennessy, who explores his core themes of loss of identity, the seductive allure of greed and the corrupting nature of political power. Designed by Hayley Grindle, this version was built in Leeds by the Playhouse’s skilled Costume and Workshop teams. All performances include live creative audio description performed in-character by a member of the cast as Orwell’s timeless warning to future generations is coming to the Playhouse from March 12th. Photo: Kirsten McTernan “I am beyond excited by this incredible honour,” says Ani...

14Feb

By Carole GordonNo Comments

London

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 org...

Cast announced for Animal Farm at Leeds Playhouse

6Feb

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

Cast announced for Animal Farm at Leeds Playhouse

Animal Farm might have been written 80 years ago, but our troubled times make it perfect for a revival as Tatty Hennessy’s innovative adaptation of George Orwell’s dystopian classic comes to Leeds Playhouse in March. Orwell’s timeless fable of how power corrupts revolves around a group of exploited animals who rebel against their human farmer-tyrant and take control of the land that they live on. They hope to create a world where they can be equal, happier and free but as power shifts and a new leader emerges things start to go badly wrong. Amy Leach directs Tianah Hodding (Clover), Shakeel Kimotho (Mollie), Robin Morrissey (Snowball), David Nellist (Benjamin), Tachia Newall (Napoleon), Gabriel Paul (Boxer), Em Prendergast (Milo), Everal A Walsh (Old Major), Farshid Rokey (Minty), Br...

24Jan

By Brian MaddenNo Comments

North West

Animal Farm – Octagon Theatre

George Orwell’s Animal Farm comes to life in a vivid and unsettling adaptation that thrusts the audience into the heart of a revolution. The barnyard is transformed into a stage where animals overthrow their human oppressors, driven by dreams of equality and justice. Yet, as Orwell so keenly observed, power has a way of corrupting even the noblest intentions. What begins as a hopeful uprising soon unravels into a chilling reflection of authoritarianism, manipulation, and the rewriting of truth. Olivia Chandler stands out in her dual roles, first as Mollie, the delightfully vain mare who steals the audience’s attention with her superficial charm, and later as Moses, the revivalist raven whose flamboyant performance oozes charisma and false hope. Meanwhile, Shoroosh Lavasani's portrayal o...

1Apr

By Jackie FoottitNo Comments

Yorkshire & Humber

Animal Farm – Hull Truck Theatre

When Snowball the angry, militant “pig” crept menacingly towards me, across the stage of Hull Truck Theatre on Thursday night, I began to think my front-row seat wasn’t such a good thing after all. I was at this popular local theatre to watch a powerful re-telling of George Orwell’s classic, Animal Farm - a book I had never read, but, it being a classic, knew the storyline of. Thankfully, Snowball (Samater Ahmed) spared me, directing his anger at the farm’s owner and his master, Mr Jones. The way Jones ran Manor Farm was not to the animals’ liking nor for their benefit, so they overthrow him, take over and create a new set of rules in which “all animals are equal”. However, it soon becomes apparent that the cleverest farm animals are the pigs - Squealer (Killian Macardle), Napo...

27Apr

By Ezzy LaBelleNo Comments

North West

Animal Farm – Liverpool Playhouse

In a feat of technical brilliance and creativity, this show makes the impossible possible through exceptional puppetry and characterisation. A contemporary re-imagining of George Orwell’s classic text, this adaptation does not disappoint. Charting the rise of a fictional revolution and its aftermath, the plot of Animal Farm is just as relevant now as it was when first published, if not more so. Adults and children over 11 years are best-placed to engage with this experience. This is not a tale for the feint-hearted. We begin with a bloodied farmer carrying carcasses across the stage, going about his daily business on Manor Farm. It quickly becomes apparent he’s not a pleasant character. The animals are scared when he’s around, treated as work units and considered expendable when they...

28Jan

By Annette NuttallNo Comments

West Midlands

Animal Farm – Birmingham Rep

This well-known story based on the book by George Orwell, studied by generations at school has taken to the stage in Birmingham. From the moment you walk into the auditorium you can tell this isn’t a happy go lucky play. The stage has a dark industrial feel too it, the pre-show action on stage reinforces the tone even further. Animal Farm tells the tale of animals on a farm who dream of days of freedom from their human oppressors. Following a stirring speech from an old pig, they plan a revolution. We follow their journey as all their best laid plans and intentions start to fade. Anyone who studied this at school will probably remember the story revolves round political ideals, leadership and control of the masses. This production manages to bring the story to life in a very visua...