Review: ANIMAL FARM, The Rep Birmingham

Photo credit: Manuel Harlan

The 1945 story of Animal Farm, written by George Orwell, tells the story of a group of farm animals who rebel against their human farmer in the hope of creating a society where animals can be treated as equals.  However, the rebellion does not end well with the animals fighting amongst themselves against the hierarchy of the revolution leader Napoleon, a pig of large stature with his sights set on total domination.

Upon entering the theatre, the stage looks very dark and intriguing.  The set, designed by Bunny Christie (who was also in charge of the costume design), depicts the inside of the barn where the revolution begins.  Before the show starts, we see the farmer, dressed in a blood-soaked apron, walking across the stage multiple times carrying the carcasses of several pigs.  We also see the farmer walking back across the stage swigging from a bottle of alcohol.

Throughout the show, we are guided through the changing seasons with the aid of an LED caption screen right at the very top of the stage.  This enables the audience to keep check on how far through the revolution we are.  This captioning also plays out the many deaths amongst the animals once the rules begin to change and the animals deciding the rebellion is not for them.  Napoleon is always at the centre of the deaths, cementing the ideal that it is his way or no way at all.

The puppetry of the many animals on stage is nothing short of spellbinding.  You really do feel that the animals have a reality and do not notice the cast after a time.  The movement around the stage by the cast is athletic, true to the animals they are portraying, and they also provide the many sounds of the farmyard perfectly.  The puppets themselves, designed by Toby Olié, are very much life sized; whether a small pigeon, or a gigantic shire horse, they are mesmerising throughout.  There are some fantastic slow-motion fights amongst the human farmers and animals which, when combined with the dramatic music of Tom Gibbons and lighting of Jon Clark, really make you feel you are in the moment.

Directed by Robert Icke, Animal Farm is a fantastic ensemble piece that really is worth a visit.  The show runs for 90 minutes with no interval, which seems to fly by with the wonderful puppetry on stage that really brings the farmyard to life.

So, head on down to The REP Birmingham to join the revolution and long live Animal Farm!

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Emma Rowley

Animal Farm runs in Birmingham until 5 February, with tickets available here.