An old favourite told with a youthful twist
Napier Repertory Players introduces their first Youth Production, tackling the well-known classic novel Animal Farm by George Orwell and directed by 19-year-old Mikel O’Connell in his first Napier Rep show.
O’Connell has brought his unique physical theatre style to the show, pushing the cast to explore, twist and create a new way to tell this timeless story. The cast of seven between the ages of 13 and 18 has worked extensively to create a cohesive and energy-filled production. It had been
O’Connell’s intention to direct Animal Farm as a show for a youth production, but it was not until a year later when the Napier Repertory Theatre’s committee was in need of a youth production that he introduced the idea.
“I felt the Theatre would be open to it because as a recent student, I knew Animal Farm was a NCEA text and that we would be able to build strong connections with the schools,” says Mikel. “It’s a classic story and audiences know it well.”
The script has been simplified to focus on the social and dramatic elements of the story, developing relationships between the animal characters and pulling back a bit on the political elements.
The cast of seven plays 15 roles and require a good understanding of the plot and complex political and social themes as they switch between narrators and characters.
It has been a challenging exercise for director and cast as they sift through the text for meaning and work out how to convey that in the performance style of ensemble theatre.
Tickets can be purchased through i-Ticket online or through the Municipal Theatre in Napier and i-Site in Hastings and Havelock North.