Animal Farm

With Lyrics by Adrian Mitchell
and Music by Richard Peaslee

This much-acclaimed dramatisation of George Orwell's classic, allegorical novel was first seen at the National Theatre in 1984. The play starts with a schoolboy sitting down to read the novel by a toy farmyard. As he reads, the farmyard comes to life around him, enacting the animals' rebellion. The dialogue is complemented by Mitchell's witty lyrics and Peaslee's music, jaunty at first, but increasingly threatening and dissonant.

 

The Boy.......................................John Gilmartin    Mr Jones/Farmer.......................Ray Harrison
Major/Moses/Mr Pilkington...............Alan Morton     Clover.......................................Bette Garratt
Mollie/Dog/Hen.........................Marjorie Howarth     Boxer.....................................Chris Redfearn
Snowball/Mr Whymper/Pig..............Martin Illston      Napoleon.....................................Bob Collar
Squealer.........................................Gordon Gell      Benjamin.................................Stephen King
Hen/Minimus......................................Sue Allen      Sheep/Pigeons..........................Anne Evans
Sheep/Farmer/Dog.........................Peter Cooper      Sheep..........................................Liz Welsh
Cat/Pigeons/Dog/Hen...................Susan Durkan       Hen....................................Anthea Blundell
Cow.................................................Val Whitley     Cow..........................................Jewel Jaden
Young Pig/Stable lad..........Christopher Gilmartin     Farmer......................................René Craggs
Muriel...........................................Pauline Green

For The Marlowe Players

Musical Director........................Audrey Booth
Stage Manager/Properties.........Dawn Mulligan
Assistants................Ray Kelly, Margaret Kelly
Property Construction.....................Bill Walker
Lighting......................................Tony Whitley
Costumes.....................................Val Whitley
Mask Design ...................................Ian Parry
Front of House.........................Suzanne Illston
Publicity...................................Dawn Mulligan
Continuity...............................Heather Walker 
Sound...................................Michael Mulligan