Four legs good – and so was the play!

On Wednesday 2nd and Thursday 3rd March, drama students, Years 9 through to 12, visited Bath Theatre Royal to watch Robert Icke’s adaptation of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm”. The adaptation itself was a hit on Broadway and on the West End, and features puppetry by Toby Olié, the mastermind behind War Horse and Running Wild.  

In this infamous story, the animals of Manor Farm revolt, freeing themselves from the clutches of their evil Farmer, and decide to run the farm themselves. The story explores dark twists as hierarchy between the animals is established and the pigs rule over the farm. 

Mrs Harvey, Deputy Head- Scholarship and English/Theatre Studies teacher, describes the trip: “It was wonderful to be able to take students to the theatre once again and, as always, they were excellent ambassadors of the school. Orwell’s darkly political novel was first published in 1945 and tells the story of the animals' revolution and its grim aftermath. This staged version used incredibly convincing, life-sized puppets, a pulsating, orchestral soundtrack, and creative, technical staging to allow the production to successfully stay true to Orwell's original intention with the novel: "to fuse political purpose and artistic purpose into one whole.”  

Harrison P., Year 10, said: “The play was funny, but also managed to capture more serious and morbid moments well. I especially liked the use of puppets rather than people dressed up as animals, it was incredibly creative and allowed you to become invested in the characters. I was completely blown away by the whole production.” 

Drama Department