REVIEW | Animal Farm, UK Tour
★★★★
Theatre often opens up important conversations. Combining theatre with political topics really enables a discussion to unfold. This new stage production of George Orwell's well-known novel does a spectacular job at enabling that, particularly at a time when we see just how propaganda influences impact communities across the world. There has never been a more important time to see Animal Farm than it is now, especially with the opportunity presented by its UK tour.
This new tour has been truthfully brought from page to screen by Robert Icke, heading across the country until May 2022.
This striking production faithfully follows the novel which follows a group of exploited, hungry farmyard animals who rise up against the humans and run the farm to avoid the bleak future they currently see ahead of them. But it instead results in them being duped, hungry, and exploited by their new leaders. Orwell built his novel in response to Russia's descent into dictatorship after the revolution, using animals to portray power structures and how revolutions can occur as a response. The finished product of Animal Farm (which has been brought to the stage by Children's Theatre Partnership in association with Birmingham Rep) is something that will stick with audiences long after they've experienced it for themselves. Fans of National Theatre's War Horse will be transfixed by the similarities in which this production has been brought to the stage.
14 performers bring phenomenal like-for-life puppets to life. It's the work of Puppetry Designer and Director Toby Olié that equips these performers with the tools to execute their unforgettable performances. The attention to detail in the way the animals pulsate and breathe between their movements is outstanding. This ensemble cast really knows how to use the puppets to manipulate their varying characteristics - even when they have to play with a vocal and musical prompt to help them tell the story.
The continuity of motion in Animal Farm enables the audiences to be drawn into exactly what is unfolding on the stage. Creatively this production is outstanding and the attention to detail really makes this one of the most engaging pieces of theatre you will see in 2022. The development of this piece to reach its finished product is so clear to see. There are some poignant moments that the creative team has well constructed. The soundscape and original music alongside the lighting (Jon Clark) and set design (Bunny Christie) enable this production to have a really interesting dynamic that is both engaging and inspiring for future plays.
Animal Farm is a considerably bleak story and can be emotionally quite hard-hitting in terms of subject matter, especially in the current climate, though this gives all the more reason to venture out and see it. Beyond the messages pulled from Orwell's writing, this production is a visual masterpiece and it left the audience stunned.
