A cautionary tale of totalitarianism, the clarion call of George Orwell’s Animal Farm is as real today as when the book was published, say Year 9 actors as they prepare to bring the political allegory to life.  

Like all good actors, Tejas N did his homework to prepare for multiple roles in Animal Farm which Newington brings to the stage from Thursday April 30 for three nights.  

George Orwell wrote the novel Animal Farm during World War II as a critique of the Russian Revolution, Joseph Stalin and totalitarianism. The play, adapted from the novel by Peter Hall in 1984, illustrates how tyranny grows when good people (or animals) do nothing.  

‘I hadn’t read Animal Farm so before we started rehearsals, I read it,’ says Tejas, who will make his stage debut after working backstage on the Year 8 play, The Trolleys last year. In Animal Farm, Tejas inhabits four characters – Moses the crow, a farmer, a dog and a hen. 

‘Once I read it, I realised how sad it is, and how it is an allegory for the real world, and the injustices served on the people at the time it was written. I am focused on trying to bring that to life while also finding ways to distinguish between my characters.’  

Liam J plays Squealer the pig, who embodies a collective portrait of Soviet propaganda such as the national daily newspaper Pravda. 

‘Squealer is the mouthpiece,’ says Liam, who is relishing playing a main character after whetting his appetite in a minor role in The Trolleys last year. 

‘I’ve enjoyed understanding what the play is all about and embracing my character. I also read the book recently, and it feels important we are putting this play on now.’  

Animal Farm marks the Newington directorial debut of Drama teacher, Ms Angela Morosin. In her director’s notes, Ms Morosin poses the question: ‘what happens in the shadows when society stops questioning the status quo?’ She and the cast have explored this idea throughout rehearsals, engaging in thoughtful conversations which have seen the students make pertinent links to real-world current events. 

‘Animal Farm raises important ethical questions for our young people to be curious about and to grapple with. They are questions which will shape their futures and remain as relevant now as they were in 1945 when Orwell first published the novel upon which this play is based.’  

Zac K plays Boxer, the gentle workhorse whose blind loyalty helps enable the regime of tyrannical pigs to flourish. Learning to inhabit a tragic hero has been a memorable experience, Zac says. 

‘It’s been great to flesh out my character Boxer although learning my lines has at times been both challenging and fun.’ 

William O plays Clover, the caring and maternal horse, who begins to understand all is not well in the farmyard.  

‘I am really enjoying the freedom to flesh out my character and characterise it my own way,’ he says.  

‘Clover is kind and caring and while she is not necessarily the smartest, she begins to have a strong inclination that something is going very wrong.’ 

Like Liam and Zac, William began his stage career at Newington through Year 7 Drama and the Year 8 Improv Club. He encourages anyone who cares about societal freedom and enjoys live theatre to come along to the production. 

‘The set, the lighting, the tech, the direction, and the performance are all worth coming to see. We are incredibly lucky at Newington with our professional sets, lighting and theatre. It’s incredible. Treat it like going to see any other play and you’ll have a great time.’  

Tejas concurs. 

‘Also, it feels important to get the play’s message across right now with everything that is happening in the world.’  

Animal Farm is showing at Duckmanton Theatre Thursday 30 April, Friday 1 May and Saturday 2 May from 7pm.

Book your tickets here:  https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1572619 

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