PLAYHOUSE, LIVERPOOL – UNTIL SATURDAY 5TH APRIL 2025
REVIEWED BY MIA BOWEN
4****
Iqbal Khan’s production of Animal Farm is concluding its 2025 tour at the Playhouse in Liverpool this week, where I attended a packed-out premiere evening. This stage adaptation of George Orwell’s renowned novel is a powerful and thought-provoking portrayal of the allegorical tale in which a group of farm animals overthrows their human owner, Mr Jones, an irresponsible and alcoholic farmer. As the narrative unfolds, the farm transforms into an industrial abattoir where hard work goes unrewarded, the rich continue to amass wealth, and the poor only find further hardship.
George Orwell’s Animal Farm is often described as “probably the most popular and influential piece of literary propaganda in the English language.” Thus, creating a stage adaptation of this iconic work is a significant endeavour. Originally adapted for the theatre by Ian Wooldridge, the play closely mirrors Orwell’s critique of totalitarianism. It explores how leaders can manipulate ideals for their own gain, turning a revolution meant to liberate the oppressed into one in which the new rulers are just as oppressive as those who came before them. Although Orwell wrote the original novel in 1945, its themes remain strikingly relevant today, embodying the essence of Orwellian insight. Regrettably, it seems that little has genuinely changed since the story was first narrated.
The six-member cast is exceptionally skilled and talented, adept at portraying animals with a blend of humanity and their innate instincts, as well as seamlessly embodying multiple characters with diverse accents. A standout performance comes from Natalia Campbell, who plays Clover, a gentle yet strong-spirited horse. Her ability to convey Clover’s passion, even as the story’s events begin to take their toll, is remarkable; by the end, her defeat is truly heart-wrenching. Likewise, Sam Black’s portrayal of Boxer, the diligent horse, infused the stage with a sense of tragic nobility. His unwavering loyalty and sacrifice resonated deeply with the audience, leaving a lasting emotional impact.
The tone is established immediately with Ciarán Bagnall’s stark and chilling stage design, which symbolises the transformation of the farm and the oppressive atmosphere that intensifies as the pigs take control.
Animal Farm, offers a compelling, engaging, and frequently unsettling examination of politics, power, and corruption. If you appreciate intense political themes infused with dramatic elements, this production provides a gripping yet thought-provoking experience.