DramaNorth WestReview

Animal Farm – Octagon Theatre, Bolton

Reviewer: Matthew Forrest

Writer: George Orwell

Adaptor: Ian Wooldridge

Director: Iqbal Khan

It’s pretty grim that the political global landscape hasn’t really changed in the near 90 years since George Orwell penned his dystopian fairytale, Animal Farm. At the time, it was a stark warning against Joseph Stalin and his brutal dictatorship over the Soviet Union, where fear and propaganda ruled the day.

Rather sadly, not a lot seems to have changed. Today some politicians recite lie after lie, in certainty that they will become the truth. It would appear that in some political circles their mandate is to serve themselves and their super rich pals, rather than the people that elected them. In our current era of ‘fake news’ and some media outlets ditching fact checking, it’s hard to decipher the truth from the pig swill. As you can tell, the character of Squealer resonated with me.

Writer Ian Wooldridge and director Iqbal Khan have kept faithful to the source material for their stage adaptation. Set on the CCTV and corrugated steel surrounded Manor Farm, for the animal’s revolution is in the air. The neglected animals are fed up with their mistreatment and the mismanagement of the irresponsible farmer, Mr Jones. With the teachings of the wise old boar, Old Major (Natalia Campbell) ringing in their ears, the animals, led by two pigs, Napoleon (Rhian Lynch) and Snowball (Sorroosh Lavasani) stage an uprising and seize control of the farm.

The farm is renamed Animal Farm, and a series of pledges are put in place which include all animals being equal and that no animal will indulge in human comforts such as beds and alcohol. At first things went well for the farm’s inhabitants. However, soon the pigs begin to grasp at power and need more control. They alter the pledges to serve their own needs, rather than for the benefit of the other animals which include Boxer (Sam Black), a loyal hard working, slow witted shirehorse and Mollie (Olivia Chandler), a vain self serving mare who longs for the return to the old ways and bows in her mane.

Eventually there is a clash between Napoleon and Snowball. Snowball is banished and Napoleon seizes power, aided by Squealer (Lewis Griffin), Napoleon’s trusty lieutenant, and mouthpiece.

There is a great deal to admire in this retelling, which packs a hefty punch but doesn’t always hit the mark. The ensemble cast are solid throughout, with special mentions for Black as the naive Boxer, who elicits sympathy whenever he’s on stage. It’s a great piece of casting when such an imposing figure is seen so powerless throughout. Whilst Griffin is suitably unpleasant as the scheming Squealer, it’s a tremendous skill, to stir up feelings of hatred towards a character and Griffen does just that. My only gripe is the flitting between dialogue and animal noises, which can be distracting and a little tedious towards the end. What does stand out is the exceptional displays of physicality from all the cast, often they would contort limbs to match the animals they were playing at times it looked uncomfortable, even painful, but added another layer, and is great attention to detail.

The tone is set right from the start with Ciarán Bagnall’s bleak, intimidating stage design. The farm resembles more abattoir, than farm. This mixed with animal head masks dangling from the ceiling give the production a 70’s horror film feel, with mixing tropes of The Wickerman and Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Gerry Marseden’s sound design is brutal and intense throughout, which on the whole works well, however it did drown out some key dialogue.

The inclusion of songs, and some well choreographed set pieces are welcome additions, for what is a bold, at times unsettling watch, that rather sadly reflects many aspects of society. It’s a timely reminder of why need to be told, and why we’re lucky to have live theatre to do so.

Animal Farm runs until 1st February 2025

Hauntingly accurate

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The North West team is under the editorship of John McRoberts. The Reviews Hub was set up in 2007. Our mission is to provide the most in-depth, nationwide arts coverage online.

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