From the off, Creation Theatre’s current production of George Orwell’s Animal Farm not only retains a gripping sense of unease, but thrillingly shunts the tragically inevitable original tale into the 21st century.
Penned by Vanessa Badham READ ABUT IT HERE, this adaption is a retelling of the story, which despite retaining all the characters and events of the original novel, effortlessly incorporates the uncomfortably familiar state of today’s media with awkward Paxman/Newsnight interviews, Twitter Tweets, video news-flashes, Trumpian rallies with bleating crowds, protests, strikes, accusations, counter-accusations and fake news.
From the word go, as you take your seat at Summertown’s United Reform Church the contradictions are apparent, the juxtapositioning of the idyllic sound of a gently plucked banjo and hay-bales contrasting with the jarring presence of CCTV cameras.
‘retaining all the characters and events of the original novel, CREATION’S ANIMAL FARM effortlessly incorporates the uncomfortably familiar state of today’s media’
The cast of four Creation stalwarts: Herb Cuanalo, Nicholas Osmond, Anna Tolputt and Emily Woodward perfectly capture Orwell’s original vision of the characters being simultaneously understood as both animal and human.
Played so brilliantly and convincingly, the quartet switch seamlessly between their multiple roles while neighing, grunting and squealing, their gaggle of hilariously indignant chickens a highlight indeed.
Director Helen Eastman zones in on their continual metamorphosis, as demonstrated so ably when dictator-pig Napoleon’s trotters turn into human hands
‘Make Animal Farm Great Again’ is the slogan which the cunning pigs sell to the other animals. It’s an obvious satire on Trump’s hollow mantra but perhaps also Creation Theatre’s instruction to itself. And it has succeeded – this production of Animal Farm is indeed great.
Edward Bliss
Creation’s Animal Farm is at United Reformed Church, Summertown, until May 11. https://creationtheatre.co.uk/show/animalfarm/
