How many adaptations of George Orwell’s Animal Farm do you need? Last year saw Ian Wooldridge’s version tour Bolton, Hull and Derby. Next year sees the return of Robert Icke’s with a UK tour and a mooted West End run. Sandwiched between them is Amy Leach’s production of Tatty Hennessy’s take, initially written for a National Youth Theatre production in 2021, which aligns with the 80th anniversary of the novella’s publication.
It’s a production that suggests that maybe there’s no such thing as too much Orwell. Is it a reflection of our fractured times or simply the novella’s longevity? Leach and Hennessey advance the notion that it’s the former with a critique of greed and the decline of ideals within political systems. Though the allegory for the Russian Revolution and the rise of communism remains evident, it is possible to draw parallels with modern leaders.
The death of prize sow Old Major (Everal A Walsh) at the hands of Manor Farm owner Jones (Kaya Ulasli) triggers a rebellion led by pigs Snowball (Robin Morrissey) and Napoleon (Tachia Newall) that delivers a new order and the introduction of Animalism on the farm. Now running the farm for their own interests, the animals agree to seven commandments which boil down to: “Two legs good, four legs bad.”
Hayley Grindle’s slick set places the glass-walled farmhouse on a literal pedestal above the farmyard below – the image is obvious but powerful as the pigs scheme away above the workers who toil below. Leach weaves British Sign Language seamlessly into the dialogue – a significant step up from her use of the same innovation in Macbeth last year. In a rare misstep, Hennessey adds a chorus-like gossiping Cockney pigeon, Milo (Em Prendergast), for some comic relief but without the comedy as they offer flat one-liners and a brief update on how the animal community beyond Animal Farm are taking the news of the new regime.
The whole thing is immaculately acted, most notably Gabriel Paul’s workhorse Boxer whose loyalty to the ideals of animalism to Brydie Service’s anguished hen, Clara, one of the few animals to voice their resistance to the pigs’ plans, questioning how equal they all are. But Tom Simper steals the show with his wily and manipulative take on Squealer, suggesting that real power doesn’t always lie with visible leaders like Napoleon but with Machiavellian schemers who lurk in his shadow.
Rating: ★★★★☆ (Very good)
Animal Farm is at Leeds Playhouse until 29 March, then Nottingham Playhouse from 2 to 12 April
