The British Theatre Guide Review
Steve Orme
There's an old showbiz saying which proclaims you should leave
your audience wanting more. This production of Animal Farm, the final play
in the current Playhouse season, should certainly leave Derby theatregoers
desiring more of the same - although they'll have a long wait for the next
play. Essential maintenance and repairs mean the Playhouse won't open again
until December. Some of the people who've seen earlier plays in the Utopia?
season might not have bemoaned the extended break because the productions
weren't to everyone's taste. But the Playhouse, which at times has been more
erratic than the England football team, has served up a top-of-the-table
performance with Animal Farm.
Stephen Edwards' production has no gimmicks and doesn't attempt
to present Sir Peter Hall's adaptation in a new light. There's an excellent
cast of nine professional actors supported admirably by 27 performers from the
local community theatre. All gel incredibly well to present a highly enjoyable
piece of theatre in which no one takes star billing - a case of all animal
actors are equal.
The tale of Animal Farm - Orwell actually sub-titled it
"A Fairy Story" - can be taken at face value or it can reflect what
the author regarded as the corruption of the Communist ideal. Yet in these
times when the general public trust estate agents more than politicians and
respect for government office has been replaced by self-preservation, Animal
Farm speaks to us on yet another level. Napoleon's right-hand pig Squealer
is now not only the dictator's means of putting over propaganda, he's also a
modern-day spin doctor with a neat line in persuasion.
The pigs' taking over the farmhouse and living a life of luxury
reminded me of the squabbles within the Labour Party over who should have the
better grace-and-favour residence. And in the final scene when you can't tell
the difference between pigs and humans, a portly Ben Roberts as Napoleon bears
more than a passing resemblance to the Deputy Prime Minister.
Roberts gives an outstanding performance. This is his fourth
appearance at the Playhouse in three years. Derby should be grateful that
Roberts lives on the doorstep. He's such a versatile and dependable actor that
he can give below-par productions a reason to watch them - not that Animal
Farm falls into that category. Roberts transforms himself gradually from a
team player intent on improving everyone's lot to a scheming, ambitious,
irascible dictator with his nose in the trough as often as possible.
There are fine performances too from Lucien MacDougall as the
wily Squealer; Dickon Tyrrell as Boxer who movingly resolves to work harder
every time something goes wrong; Bethany Sheldon as the conceited, beautiful
horse Mollie who won't give up her luxuries; and Neil Savage as the Narrator
who resembles a favourite grandfather. Craig Purnell as Minimus instils a
little bit of levity into what is essentially a dark piece when he bursts into
song in the second act and playfully pushes other animals out of his way.
Plaudits should also go to designer Kate Unwin, whose set revolves so that
farmer Jones's house turns into a windmill, and Kelvin Towse whose musical
accompaniment always hits the right note.
This is the second time the Playhouse has collaborated with the
community theatre. Three years ago Stephen Edwards directed Oh, What A Lovely
War! with similar success. Let's hope it's not another three years before the
next collaboration.