We reviewed the current production of 'Animal Farm' earlier in its run. This review is an updated version of a previously published one.
Animal Farm is a satirical novella by George Orwell, first published in England in 1945. The book tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer, hoping to create a society where the animals can be equal, free, and happy.
Ultimately, however, the rebellion is betrayed and the farm ends up in a state as bad as it was before, under the dictatorship of a pig named Napoleon.
For a section of the audience, Animal Farm is best known as a GCSE text that they slaved over, analysed and picked apart. Indeed, there were a good few of those kids in the audience who looked less than impressed that their Thursday evening was being taken up by something so closely related to the school day!
However, that same group walked out of the auditorium with the biggest smiles on their faces 90 minutes later, having seen what can only be described as a piece of theatrical magic. This is immersive theatre at its very best, personifying the standard that productions like this live up to every time the lights go down.
We first saw the show when it premiered at Birmingham Rep in January and it blew us away. The craftsmanship, visualisation and story telling were sublime and there's always a worry that when a show that's so intricately crafted is taken on the road, different stages can offer different problems which can impact what the production can offer.
There was no need to worry with this piece, however which was equally as beautiful - and definitely as at home - in Wolverhampton as it was in the second city.
Bunny Christie's beautifully lit set retains its stunning, dimly lit atmosphere. Predominantley using just a handful of sliding walls to transition between scene's, this isn't a show that relies on big dance numbers and flashing lights to put bums on seats.
However what sets this show apart from so many others is it's brilliant use of puppetry. Toby Olie has a pedigree in the business as associate puppetry director for the West End production of War Horse and his magic has been worked once again with a whole range of farm animals that command the attention of the audience.
From tiny birds to cats and an army of pigs to full sized shire horses, the creation and operation of these beasts was mesmerising and truly brought the story to life. Alongside those giant protagonists was a brilliant intertwining of models to force perspective - and it was a concept that worked a treat.
Huge credit also needs to go to the performers on stage this evening. Clearly becoming more seasoned as the tour goes on, the ever blurring line between human and animal is choreographed to perfection and a credit to compelling new theatre.
It does, however, feel almost impossible to avoid mention of the clear comparison to conflict in Europe. The Russian Embassy in Ireland is on Orwell Road and, as coincidences go, it’s a pointed one. And in turn it explains why, in a recent protest over the invasion of Ukraine, a temporary sign was erected there renaming the location “Animal Farm Road”.
The original work was a satire on the Russian Revolution and all that it entailed including the effect on the Ukrainian people before the Second World War.
Animal Farm is certainly a production to appeal to the younger demographic. However it's clever staging, addictive concept and innovative use of technology makes this a show that appeals to an incredibly wide range of people - whether they were fans of the book, learnt about it at High School or just walked in off the street and bought a ticket - and all of those people fast fell in love with a gem of a show
Animal Farm plays at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre until 21st May. For more information, or to get your tickets, head online to grandtheatre.co.uk.
