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Review: Animal Farm, State Theater Company of South Australia
In a new solo production, Renato Musolino brings to life George Orwell's clbadic animal novel. Solo, this piece showcases not only the talents of Musolino as an interpreter, but also its director Geordie Brookman.
Written as an allegorical critique of the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the Stalinist era, Orwell's novel details Manor Farm's animal rebellion against the cruel farmer, Mr. Jones. What follows is the establishment of a new order, an animal utopia in which all animals are equal. The animals collaboratively develop a new philosophy, "animalism," which consists of seven commandments aimed at instilling a sense of pride and empowerment.
This initially egalitarian society evolves slowly, or rather evolves obsessively, into a system that is hardly better than before the rebellion. A feeling of uneasiness and apprehension loomed over the production as we watched helplessly and pbadively the insidious rise of Chief Napoleon and his clbad of pigs as rulers of the farm.
James Hartley
The performance of Musolino, the throbbing heart of this production, upset the audience. Moving from narration to monologue and dialogue, he describes the many and varied members of this new society with impressive vocal and physical transformations.
The pigs were characterized not only by laughter and shouts of joy at the misery of other animals, but also by the outstretched and contorted hands of Musolino, who formed trotters.
The bleating bbadity of the sheep, the slow but deliberate philosophy of the engaged workaholic, the grumpy jokes of the old donkey and the folk lyricism of the narrative created a clear and perfect symphony of voices.
The transitions of Musolino between the characters were fast but transparent. Thanks to the actor's sincerity and skill as a storyteller, the rhythm and dramatic tension of the story have never been lost – a risk when so much as the artist falls.
A well-structured adaptation of Brookman, the outgoing Artistic Director, ensured that the world created by Orwell – a world not far from our own – and that its injustices, betrayals and exploits were orchestrated in a way that maximized its impact. The journey of Boxer the horse was particularly heartbreaking, crystallizing the cruelty, exploitation and cruelty of this new society.
One of the most effective ways to help Napoleon and the pigs to free other animals is to deprive them of their means of communication. At the approach of the revolution, pigs learn to read and write while providing only a summary education to other animals.
It is the literacy of hogs that gives them the most power to change the rules. This happens literally throughout the room, as the commands painted on the side of the barn are modified to meet their needs. For example, "no animal should kill another animal" eventually becomes "no animal should kill another animal without reason".
James Hartley
The set, designed by Bianka Kennedy, consisted of a threatening black structure much resembling an open coffin, a tombstone or even a Venus geometric fly trap, which could close at any time and engulf us all. This limited space allowed to focus on the performance of Musolino.
Straight lines have enlightened designer Alexander Ramsay's lighting design on the structure itself, juxtaposing nicely with the softer lighting used to frame Musolino in quieter moments.
Andrew Howard's soundscape, bewitching but never overwhelming, amplifies the dark intensity of the work. The production, no doubt thanks to the wise leadership of Brookman, is technically explosive, intense and consistent with the thematic concerns of the work.
It is a production not visible, but experienced. It moved me to tears, sparking a boiling fury within me. Such was the power of the combined stories of Orwell, Brookman, and Musolino.
A cathartic production in the purest sense of the term, Animal Farm evoked fear, pity, empathy, anger and gratitude, as the exploitation of power was manifested again. The words "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others" resonated in our ears long after we left the theater.
Animal Farm plays at the State Theater Company of South Australia until March 30th.
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