This trio of highly acclaimed regional theatres will produce and present this striking new production during spring 2024, showing at all three venues between February and March next year.
Animal Farm has been adapted for the stage by Ian Wooldridge and will be directed by esteemed theatre director, Iqbal Khan (East is East for Birmingham Rep and the National Theatre, Tartuffe for the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Opening Ceremony of the Commonwealth Games).
Animal Farm begins its tour in Bolton at the Octagon Theatre, on from Thursday 1 – Saturday 24 February before transferring to Derby Theatre from Wednesday 28 February until Saturday 16 March and then finishing off the tour at Hull Truck Theatre from Wednesday 27 March until Saturday 13 April.
The cast includes: Samater Ahmed (Macbeth and Romeo & Juliet for Box Clever Theatre Company); Sam Black (Cyrano De Bergerac for the Harold Pinter Theatre and BAM New York and Simon Stephen Presents for the Royal Exchange); Amy Drake (Classic! for Hope Mill Theatre and HER Productions, Peter Pan for Octagon Theatre Bolton); Polly Lister (Jekyll and Hyde for Derby Theatre and Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, One Man, Two Guvnors for Octagon Theatre Bolton, Theatre by the Lake and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse); Killian Macardle (Mind Mangler: Member of the Tragic Circle for Mischief Theatre, UK tour of Groan Ups for Mischief Theatre and Kenny Wax); and Ida Regan (4 Walls for Derby Theatre and The Book Thief for Octagon theatre Bolton).
Meet the Cast
When the downtrodden animals of Manor Farm overthrow their master, they imagine it is the beginning of a new life of freedom and equality. However, over time they find themselves ensnared as one tyranny is quickly replaced with another.
Animal Farm is Orwell’s enduring and devastating satire about the corruption of power that comments on the imbalance among society and demonstrates how some are more equal than others. A story as relevant today as when it was written in 1945, this classic story will be brought vividly to life on stage in this gripping new production for 2024.
The creative team includes: Iqbal Khan (Director); Jack Clearwater (Assistant Director); Ciaran Bagnall (Set and Lighting Designer); Su Newell (Costume Designer and Supervisor); Shelley Eva Haden (Movement Director) and Dylan Towley (Composer).
Commenting on the casting of the production, director Iqbal Khan said:
“I’m so delighted to be back at the Octagon and working with this incredibly exciting company, they represent a thrilling range of talent. I cannot wait to develop and explore this urgent adaptation of this great parable with them.”
Tickets prices (for the Derby Theatre production) are £11 – £33.50, under 26s, £13 – £31.50, 16-25 year olds, £5 on Friday evenings. Friends of Derby Theatre, 50% off preview performances and £5 off all other performances (Bands A & B), schools, £11 per ticket plus 1 free ticket with every 10 purchased.
For more information and to book tickets, call the Derby Theatre Box Office on 01332 593939 or online at www.derbytheatre.co.uk.
Accessible Performances
Captioned Performances: Saturday 2 March, 2pm & Wednesday 6 March, 7pm
BSL Performances: Thursday 7 March, 10.30am & 7pm and Saturday 16 March, 2pm.
Audio Described Performance: Saturday 8 March, 2pm.