Review of The Swan Theatre's Animal Farm adaptation

The Swan Theatre's version of George Orwell's timeless classic, Animal Farm, came to the stage with a wealth of global political unrest on its shoulders, and arguably, it could not have arrived at a better time.

After living under Mr Jones's cruel leadership, underfed and overworked animals living on Manor Farm work to overthrow their human oppressors in a rebellion.  

Rob Holman, who played Old Major and Boxer, stole the show. (Image: Worcester Theatres) Animal Farm is born out of the rebellion's success, but the plot takes unexpected dark and twisted turns where a turmoil of despair and corruption spreads.

Worcester's adaptation of the show avoided using puppets and animal costumes - often the way shows choose to tell this story.

Each species was distinguished by thoughtful detail in costumes – boiler suits for the pigs, brown leather-like clothing and straps for the horses, and white bobble hats for the sheep.

Creative use of costume helped distinguish each character. (Image: Worcester Theatres) The attention to the costume details helped provide a distinguishable difference between the animals and the humans and was carefully used to give the show its stark ending. 

Each ensemble member helped bring this story to life and paid extra attention to their characters or, more so, their animals' mannerisms. 

When I allowed my eyes to wander away from the central action, each member stuck to their animal through facial expressions and movements.

Rachael Cummins as Nepolean. (Image: Worcester Theatres) This attention to detail absorbed audiences into the scene and the harsh effects of the rules imposed on every character - not just the leads.

Napoleon's demise into dictatorship was shown through Rachael Cummins, who achieved a truly unsettling madness and heartlessness, which was portrayed further by the use of video recorders by cast members.

This was a nice nod to a surveillance society. 

Rob Holman, who played Old Major and Boxer, illustrated his exemplary acting skills by convincingly playing two completely different characters. 

The actor paid acute attention to his body language and channelled acute detail in his Boxer performance through horse-like head movements and stature. 

It made it almost impossible to take your eyes off him and had audiences wholeheartedly immersed.

Overall, there are only four words to summarise this powerhouse of production.

Bleak, brutal and bloody brilliant.