Youth Theatre pull out all the stops for Animal Farm

Arts Week with Judy Murphy

‘All animals are equal. But some animals are more equal than others.’

It’s a line that’s familiar to most people, who either studied George Orwell’s classic Animal Farm at school or came across it later in life.

Orwell’s book, which was first published in 1945, is populated by animals but it’s an allegory about human nature and how humans are incapable of creating an equal society, because some of us will always insist on having more power than others.

Galway Youth Theatre are presenting a stage adaptation of the novel at the city’s Black Box Theatre from next Wednesday, December 15, to Sunday, December 19.   The production which has a cast of 28 and mixes drama and music, is one that members have  embraced enthusiastically, says GYT director, Andrew Flynn.

“They’ve all read the book and are well aware of where it comes from and of Russian history,” he observes. “But they are also aware how relevant it is to modern politics.”

Manor Farm is the setting for the animals’ rebellion as they seek a better world,  having been inspired by a speech given by the farm’s prize-winning boar, Old Major, shortly before his death.  Old Major is played by 86-year-old Gerry Ferguson, the oldest cast member by far. A stalwart of many GYT productions he’s an honorary member of the Youth Theatre, says Andrew with a laugh.

“He gives the speech that ruffles thing and that all the other animals respond to.”

Old Major’s rhetoric makes them realise a better, more equal world is possible, if their overlords are overthrown.

That’s exactly what happens as the animals dispatch the humans and take control. Led by the charismatic pig Napoleon and fuelled by enthusiastic camaraderie, they look forward to a prosperous future, one that’s free from human greed. Except that’s not the result and soon the animals are captive once more.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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