Theatre Review: Animal Farm at the Nottingham Playhouse

Proving the adage true that all adaptations are equal, some are just more equal than others, Tatty Hennessy’s version of George Orwell’s literary classic is a true tour de force! Seamlessly modernising the well-known story and giving it a new lease of life in today’s turbulent political climate. From the stellar performances, dynamic lighting and set, to the elegantly brutal choreography- last nights performance was an absolute must see performance that holds nothing back and shines a light on our society

I won’t touch too much on the plot- which has been picked apart and analysed to death since the book was published back in the 50s. However, the themes of inequality, political machinations, the plights of the working class and the climb to power were certainly connecting with the audience. Whilst initially a critique of communism, it is a testament to the literary skills of Orwell that Animal Farm’s message can resonate with audiences across the political spectrum, even in our society today. (A leader who galvanised the workers with the hope of a brighter future only to be exiled and smeared by his colleagues in favour of a return to the status quo- now where have we seen that before?)

Right from the start we were treated to some of the best performances I have seen at the Nottingham Playhouse. Each member of the cast stood out in their own way and with the help of some very convincing animal noises, you could feel their presence on stage even when the focus was elsewhere. Although his time on stage was brutally cut short, Everal A Walsh did a fantastic job of providing the heart and emotion which lit the spark of revolution carried forward by the other cast members- in particular by Clover (Tianah Hodding) who perfectly captured the blend of nurturing and naivete seen in the book. Tachia Newall excelled as the villainous Napoleon- showing us both the vicious but also vulnerable and insecure side to his character. Aided by Tom Simper who gave us a delightfully Machiavellian take on Squealer.

The way in which the cast embody their animals goes beyond most adaptations. The physicality and choreography on display is truly impressive. You can feel the power and strain put in by Gabriel Paul’s Boxer as he pulls the plow- and the way in which his energy is ground down over the course of the play is truly heartbreaking, and the frenetic energy of sheepdog Blue (Joshua-Alexander Williams) leads to some fast-paced moments of action.

The costumes and set should also be commended- right from the start we are presented with the themes of the play perfectly through the set. With the farmhouse on top, and the barn down below there is no ambiguity as to where the power lies in this farm. Through lighting and smoke, we feel every whip crack, brutal winter and strenuous farm work activity. The costumes as well give us not only a clear indication of which animal is which in a way that doesn’t come across as too silly but also hints at their role in the farm/ society. From the pristine riding attire of show pony Mollie (Shakeel Kimotho) to the midwife scrubs of hen Clara (Brydie Service)- we immediately know who is at the top, and who is at the bottom.

This performance left me absolutely gobsmacked- it was a true showstopper and if you can, I would absolutely recommend checking it out!

Animal Farm performs at the Nottingham Playhouse from Wednesday 2nd April until Saturday 12th April 2025