Hull Truck Theatre invites you to experience the compelling drama that is Animal Farm, where George Orwell’s story on the corruption of power will be brought vividly to life on stage. Presented in partnership with Octagon Theatre Bolton & Derby Theatre.
This striking new production has been adapted for the stage by Ian Wooldridge and directed by esteemed theatre director Iqbal Khan (East is East, Birmingham Rep & National Theatre, Tartuffe, Royal Shakespeare Company, Opening Ceremony of Commonwealth Games). The production will be on the main stage at Hull Truck Theatre between Wednesday 27 March – Saturday 13 April 2024.
When the downtrodden animals of Manor Farm overthrow their master and take over, they imagine it is the beginning of a life of freedom and equality for all. However, over time a cunning and brutal elite among them, masterminded by the pigs Napoleon and Snowball, gradually take control. Soon the other animals discover that they are not all as equal as they once thought and find themselves ensnared as one tyranny is replaced with another.
Iqbal Khan, Director on Animal Farm, said: “Our modern version is the story of a farm that is kind of like a surveillance unit, where man is the machine, and the animals have no sense of the fruits of their labour. Our revolution is about tearing down technology.”
The full cast includes Samater Ahmed (Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet, Box Clever Theatre Company); Sam Black (Cyrano De Bergerac, Harold Pinter Theatre and BAM New York, Simon Stephen Presents, Royal Exchange); Amy Drake (Classic!, Hope Mill Theatre and HER Productions, Peter Pan, Octagon Theatre Bolton); Polly Lister (Jekyll and Hyde, Derby Theatre and Queens Theatre Hornchurch, One Man Two Guvnors, Octagon Theatre Bolton, Theatre, Theatre by the Lake and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse); Killian Macardle (Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle, Mischief Theatre, UK tour of Groan Ups, Mischief Theatre and Kenny Wax); and Ida Regan (4 Walls, Derby Theatre, The Book Thief, Octagon theatre Bolton).
Heather Edwards, Press for Theatre Reviews North, said: “All the cast members play more than one role, varying from pigs to hens, a donkey, a raven and more. The movement and mannerisms of the different animals are very well portrayed. There are some light moments, but overall, this is a dark and powerful play. We only need to look at world events today to see that humans could still learn from Orwell’s messages.”
Tickets for Animal Farm are available now via www.hulltruck.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 01482 323638. Recommended age guidance: 11+. A variety of access performances are also available.