INTENSE: The shake & stir theatre co is bringing George Orwell’s novel to life.
IN August 2011 the first Australian adaptation of Animal Farm, one of the most studied novels and controversial commentaries on political mores, was staged in Brisbane in a sold-out, critically acclaimed season.
Now it's Newcastle's turn to pig in.
This new production of George Orwell's simple yet intensely powerful allegorical fable has been adapted and created by Brisbane outfit, shake & stir theatre co, and is hitting the road for a four-month national tour.
The pigs have assumed control of the farm and, under the principles of "animalism", are promising a better life free from human service for all.
Guided by a simple set of rules and an unrelenting respect for authority, it is not long until the rules which promised freedom become the chains which bind the animals once again.
Combining physical theatre and storytelling, this new adaptation illustrates how greed and absolute power corrupts and, with devastating consequences, how it can change the course of history.
Animal Farm features an ensemble cast of five, playing more than 30 characters.
Shake & stir say Animal Farm promises to be shocking, exciting, relevant and "wickedly funny".
The Civic Theatre will host three performances: Saturday, March 9, at 2pm and 8pm, and Monday, March 11 at 11am.
For tickets go to civictheatrenewcastle.com.au or phone Ticketek on 4919 1977.