Animal Farm at The Rep

"All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others!" However, some things are first class - and that includes Birmingham Rep's brand new, reimagined version of Animal Farm. Last night my family had the pleasure of watching the show and it was a real triumph. We were already admirers of George Orwell's original novel and this clever stage production is true to the original book, with tweaks to make it work as a play. This is so important to book lovers, many of whom were clearly in the audience and joining in with different refrains.

This play works on many levels. You can enjoy the puppetry and special effects, or consider which present day politicians the animals may represent (I'm fairly sure Tony Blair took a cameo role as a porkine overlord) as well as the deeper political plot line that is still relevant around the world today. That is why this is a great play to take your teenage children too. Just like the book, this play with really get them thinking.

Photo credit Manuel Harlen

The puppetry in this show is impressive. This is not surprising when you discover that it features puppetry by Toby Olie who was also part of the puppetry for War Horse and Goodnight Mister Tom. The animal characters really showed their characters by very careful movement and their various accents. Molly the Brummie horse was my daughter's favourite whilst my husband loved the impressive work horse, Boxer, who had an actor inside him operating the body and another operating his head - even though this was no Christmas pantomime as the pigs' initial revolutionary cause was undermined by their loss of values and their succumbing to power and greed! It is particularly awesome when we first meet the horse, when Boxer is called upon to help and he bursts through the barn door towering over the other characters and showing his strength. Every seat in The Rep's main House gives a fantastic view and my daughter visibly jumped during this dramatic moment.

Photo Credit Manuel Harlen

The puppets themselves were cleverly crafted in a variety of ways. The pigs segmented bodies allowed them to gradually moved onto two legs rather than four. Puppets on four legs were obviously good, but puppets on two legs were even better! There were many other special effects which helped the play work on stage such as the digital display above the stage helping us to understand the time scale of the events happening.

If you enjoy clever theatre and being made to think, then this version of Animal Farm is for you.

https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whats-on/animal-farm/
Recommended for 11+ with some great deals on family tickets.

Special thank to Birmingham Rep for inviting us along to review the show.

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