Farmyard message
By Angus Moore, Year 12, St Augustine’s College
“ALL animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.”
George Orwell’s statement about political struggles still rings true to this day. Many reflections of Australian society are presented within this amazing tale.
St Augustine’s and St Monica’s College students staged a Shake’n’Stir Theatre company-style version of Orwell’s book Animal Farm in the drama studio at St Monica’s College two weeks ago.
Released in 1945, Animal Farm portrays the events of the Russian Revolution in 1917, the Bolshevik victory and establishment of the Soviet Union in 1922 by Vladimir Lenin and its eventual brutality and horror under Joseph Stalin.
It is a crucial book studied by many students in high schools across the globe in order to understand the dangers of communism and blind devotion to ideology.
The play comes out of those events that took place throughout the Soviet Union under the alteration of key figures and events in the form of animals on farmland.
Actors played roles as pigs, horses, sheep, hens, donkeys and humans, some using masks, others not.
This tight, intense play brought the essence of the story to the stage.
When I asked Dr Malcolm Cole, the head of aArts at St Augustine’s College, why he chose to do Animal Farm he said: “It is no light and cheesy tale as it discusses the brutal reality of human nature and its lust for power.
“It is a must-read for young adults who value democracy and was a distinct challenge for our students to grasp and present the intent of the work.”
Furthermore, Adam Dobson, who played the main character Napoleon (who is the pig equivalent of Stalin) said that he found tremendous value in playing a character who contradicted his every value as an Australian.
“It made me question society and just how easily our society can slip into the same fate of the characters in the story,” he said.
The play was highly successful for students and audiences, who came away with a universal appreciation of the visualisation of Orwell’s tale.
The ensemble cast of 18 played multiple roles and the dramatic action was highlighted through the use of lighting, special sound effects and original, live music.
Animal Farm is a great read and a challenging play, and when fully digested, it provides some clear insights into Russian history and the nature of mankind.