Animal Farm – Aldridge Youth Theatre
Aldridge Youth Theatre
Thursday 3rd July 2025
By : Nigel Gambles
Photography by : Aldridge Youth Theatre
“All animals are equal. But some animals are more equal than others.”
This is a very challenging show to put on especially when the cast is so young and may not fully grasp the underlying message of Orwell’s story but I need not of worried as the cast delivered an outstanding performance even though a couple of the cast had opening night nerves they coped admirably.
August 2025 will mark the 80th Anniversary of the first publication of the famous novella by George Orwell – Animal Farm.
The plot is well known – a group of exploited animals rebel against their human tyrant farmer and seize the land that they live on in the hope of creating a world where they can be equal, happy and free. However, as is so often the way when power shifts, they soon have to face a very alarming question – is the grass truly greener on the other side? The farm quickly becomes a nightmarish abattoir – where the rich get richer and the poor are exploited to within an inch of their lives.
Ava Hunt gives a masterclass as Squealer, the masterminding pig – cunning, ruthless and self-serving.
Our sympathies lie completely with the hard working and noble carthorse Boxer (Alex Wells), whose betrayal by the dastardly pigs is presented in Biblical proportions. The emotional response of his partner Clover (Charlotte Clements) is well portrayed.
Perhaps the most notorious character in the piece, Napolean, the dictator-leader of the new order is brought to life by Libby Humphries – a pompous and seemingly benign individual (the most dangerous tyrant of all) who believes his own propaganda and courts admiration from those who don’t see through the bluster and bumble.
The stage was split in two with one half dedicated to the storytellers who are on stage the whole time guiding the audience and playing and reading when not speaking. The other side of the stage is the farm indicated by hay bales and barn doors, this is where most of the play takes place.
The costumes for the animals were all black and headwear depicted which animal they were.
Production by Richard Mcnally-Reilly and his team was very good and creative using all the space available on stage and in the auditorium.
All in all this was an excellent show with good solid performances from every one involved with such a deep and humanitarian story the production could have floundered, but in this case the opposite is true.
