(Based on Ian Wooldridge’s stage version of George Orwell’s story)
Aldridge Youth Theatre put on a brilliant and exciting show with their version of Animal Farm! This story, based on George Orwell’s famous tale and turned into a play by Ian Wooldridge, is all about animals who decide to run their own farm—but things don’t go quite how they planned.
Even though the story has some serious moments, the cast did a fantastic job making it easy to understand, full of energy, and really fun to watch.
Many of the characters were played by different performers on different nights. As this review is based on the Thursday performance, and I don’t know exactly who was on stage that evening, I’ve listing all the actors— I hope they’ll remember who played what!
From the very start, the audience was taken into the story by a team of fantastic Storytellers: Chad Bayliss, George Walters-Mabbott, Martha Barkley, Sophie Du Parry, Emily Roberts, Tia Puttergill, and Hannah White. They helped guide us through the story, showing us what was happening using a clever split stage design with a colourful children’s farm set—including toy pigs, sheep, and chickens! It was fun, creative, and easy to follow.
A Big Cast with Big Talent
Old Major, the wise old pig who inspires the animals to dream of freedom, was played with great passion and fine diction by Flo Hudson. I loved the hair!
Napoleon, the pig who takes control, was performed by both Libby Humphries and Joseph Cope. They did a brilliant job showing how power can change someone. Snowball, the pig who wants to make things better, was played with energy and kindness by Ava Croxton and Laurie Cheadle. I loved the fight scene! Snowball deserved that medal!
Squealer, who always finds a way to explain what the pigs are doing (even when it’s not very fair!), was brought to life with clever and sneaky charm by Ava Hunt and Jessica Foster. I really liked this performance, her diction and phrasing was excellent. Loved the cheeky looks.
Boxer, the strong but kind-hearted horse, was played with great feeling by Alex Wells and Rowan Field. He was a real favourite with the audience. Nobody wanted to see him go off to the erm.. Hospital.. Clover, the caring and gentle mare, was beautifully played by Aoife Farrell and Charlotte Clements.
There were also fun moments from Mollie, the horse who loves her blue ribbons and sugar, played with humour and sparkle by Daisy Bailey and Willow Queen-Smith.
Brilliant Supporting Performances
Other important characters were performed just as well. Freya Thursfield and Charlotte Stewart played both Moses, the storytelling raven, and Pilkington, one of the humans. They switched between roles with confidence. Freya Regan and Dominic Hill took on Minimus, the pig who writes poems, and Benjamin, the wise old donkey, adding both fun and seriousness to the story. Jude Yates played Pigeon and young animal with full commitment to the role.
A Clever Team Behind the Scenes
The play was directed by Richard Mcnally-Reilly, Sarah Ann, and Joanne Sherry, who helped bring all the ideas and movement together. They made sure the show was exciting, meaningful, and easy to understand—even though the story can be quite serious.
The Stage Management Team—Isabella Bridger, Rohan Kennely, and Saphie Venvil—did a fantastic job making sure everything ran smoothly. The set and lighting were simple but clever, helping us see how the farm changed from a place of hope to something much darker.
Final Thoughts
This was a fantastic performance by Aldridge Youth Theatre. Yes there was the odd issue with lines, but nothing to distract from the performance. The whole cast showed real talent, energy, and teamwork. They tackled a difficult story with courage and creativity, and made it something that both children and adults could enjoy.
It was exciting, emotional, and full of imagination—a brilliant example of what young performers can do.
A big well done to everyone involved! And.. Never trust those pigs..
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