Adaptor: Peter Hall
Lyrics: Adrian Mitchell
Music: Rochard Peaselee
Director: Nioklai Foster
Reviewer: Ali Noble
Nikolai Foster’s ‘Animal Farm’, currently playing at Leeds’ West Yorkshire Playhouse, is, in simple terms, outstanding. It’s quite difficult to describe the set-up without it sounding, well, odd. But attempt we will. The cast of 16 take on the menagerie of Orwell’s Farm - his 
well-known allegory for Stalinist Russia, and unravel the tale through multiple transformations, oinks, grunts, mud and brass instruments.
well-known allegory for Stalinist Russia, and unravel the tale through multiple transformations, oinks, grunts, mud and brass instruments.The thing is, it works, and more than that, it is transfixing. I arrived at the theatre more than a little dubious as to what I would see played out that evening. As a great fan of the original book, I was loathe to see Orwell’s classic tinkered with or doctored. And having seen some press photos of the play, in which actors sport snouts seemingly fashioned from toilet-role-tubes, my expectations safely erred on the side of caution.
Fortunately, my expectations were more than surpassed. Foster’s cast manage to engross their audience; it somehow becomes very plausible to be watching a room full of adults dressed up as farmyard animals, crawling around in dirt. Their energy, creativity, and the imagination of the choreography is a thrill to behold. In fact, the whole organism of Foster’s production is a living, breathing, baa-ing and neigh-ing creature of the utmost innovativeness. The set and space are used to their full potential. The costumes are filthy and soiled, yet beautiful and fascinating. An array of corsetry, braces, wigs and feathers 
bring the animals to life, whilst mirroring the 1940’s attire of the period setting of Orwell’s book. Songs and music (played by the amazingly multi-talented cast) make the production an aural as well as visual feast. It’s hard to do it all justice in writing, but the over-all effect is stunning.
bring the animals to life, whilst mirroring the 1940’s attire of the period setting of Orwell’s book. Songs and music (played by the amazingly multi-talented cast) make the production an aural as well as visual feast. It’s hard to do it all justice in writing, but the over-all effect is stunning.Minor gripes include the length of the play - I felt it could have been more effective if slightly more concise; and the somewhat hackneyed device of young-iPod-wielding-narrator, who is a constant presence on stage, wondering in and out of proceedings. But don’t let that put you off. Animal Farm really is a treat to watch, doing justice to the text, whilst exuding creativity, pulled together by a brilliant cast. Go and see it
Photos: Keith Patterson
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