Well done to our Shell and Remove pupils for their impactful performances in our production of Animal Farm this term!
Adapted by Ian Woolridge from the book by George Orwell, Animal Farm tells the story of a group of farm animals who rise up against the powers that be, hoping to create a society of equality and justice where the animals can be happy and free. But some are not as they appear… Hiding behind false facades, these unexamined characters give rise to a terrifying new system of oppression. In the age of “woke culture,” we must ask ourselves this: Who and what is the puppet and the puppeteer? What is required to turn our ideals into reality? What is the art of true revolution? How do we handcraft the world we wish to live in? And what mistakes do we repeat when we fail to study our inner world as we attempt to change the outer?
Our Year 9 and 10 cast reviewed their experiences in the production, as well as our backstage crew and audience members.
Imogen, Year 10 Cast
“I loved being a part of the production of ‘Animal Farm’ this term. I think the set was outstanding and the windmill definitely stole the show with its intricate design. The tech was impeccable, and the team did a fantastic job of delivering all Miss Marshall wanted for the play. Being part of a piece that was very different to what I’m used to performing was interesting yet challenging. The traverse stage made me realise the importance of knowing your audience. Being in a split cast production meant it was twice as hard for Miss Marshall and she did an amazing job to pull it off! I think the whole cast and the rest of the team worked really hard and achieved something truly memorable.”
Lexie, Year 9 Cast
“As a new student to Ardingly I was nervous to audition for the school show. However, I really enjoyed reading ‘Animal Farm’ and was excited to see how it could be put onto stage. I was cast as Snowball in the Year 9 production. This was a challenge for me as I’ve never played a big role in a show before. I have never performed in the traverse before – the audience were very near us! After meeting the rest of the cast, my performance and confidence has grown on stage. Overall, my first experience of being in a play at Ardingly was fun and gave new opportunities to meet and collaborate with different people.”
Nick, Year 10 Cast
“This was a very different type of play to those I have been involved in previously. The themes of ‘Animal Farm’ are oppression and revolution, which are still so relevant today, as can be seen daily in the news. This play gave me time to reflect on the people who have blind faith in “the system,” as my character, Boxer, experienced. As this play tackled such difficult topics, I am very proud of myself and the whole team for the show that we put on.”
Oenone, Year 10 Backstage
“I worked backstage on ‘Animal Farm’, which was my first time undertaking stage management. It was really interesting to learn how much responsibility the backstage team has: props, costumes, keeping tabs on where all actors enter and exit the stage, technical support. I look forward to continuing this in the future.”
Edie, Year 10 Cast
“I was the sheep/storyteller ensemble role in the Animal Farm 2024 production. It was very challenging with the traverse stage (which means that the audience is on both sides) as it was very intimate and you could really see the audience’s reactions. It really helped me to improve my concentration as an actor, as I had to block out a lot of distractions. While this was challenging it was also a great experience and helped me grow closer to others in the cast. This play helped me to explore more serious themes such as oppression and revolution through my drama and it was a really good experience for me.”
Ia, Year 11 Audience Member
“Last week I went to see ‘Animal Farm’. The set of the play captured the essence of Orwell’s novel and effectively immersed the audience in the story. The use of the traverse staging created the idea that there were two opposing sides and made me, as an audience member, feel as though I was really part of the story and an equal to those in the play. Another significant moment was when the windmill came up, as it created the illusion that the windmill was bigger than life and almost a character itself. The use of the raised part at the end of the traverse stage conveyed the idea that there was a sense of power imbalance. The way the screen was used was very impressive too as, even though it was transparent most of the time, the use of backlighting quickly made me feel isolated from the action going on behind it.”
Ayla, Year 9 Cast
“The under was transformed into a spectacular looking farmyard, and I thought that the windmill especially was incredible! Being part of this production was an experience like no other, every moment was filled with laughter and excitement, from the backstage chaos to the on-stage events, it was a truly unforgettable experience. We all had such a fun time and want to thank Mrs Marshall, Mrs McPhillemy and the tec crew for organising it all, and we hope that everyone who watched it enjoyed it just as much as we did!”
