Animal Farm at The Lowry

Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
Animal Farm at The Lowry
Image courtesy of Manuel Harlan.

Animal Farm at The Lowry, Salford 22 — 26 March 2022 Tickets from £10.00 — Book now

Dark, gritty and incredibly clever, the animals are staging a revolution at The Lowry this March.

With startling universal themes, this dynamic new theatrical production of George Orwell’s Animal Farm is given ever more meaning and relevance in light of current world news events. This eagerly anticipated show will visit The Lowry on its 2022 UK tour.

Reimagined by an outstanding creative team, Animal Farm will be directed by Robert Icke (who came to national attention with his stage adaptation of Orwell’s 1984), with set and costume design by the multi-award winning Bunny Christie (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Company, Ink, Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) and puppetry by Toby Olié (War Horse, Running Wild and Goodnight Mr Tom). The top-notch creative team is completed with sound and music by Tom Gibbons and lighting design by Jon Clark.

Orwell’s allegorical masterpiece tells the story of the Russian revolution and its aftermath.

Animal Farm at the Lowry.
Animal Farm at The Lowry. Image courtesy of Manuel Harlan.

 

Published in 1945, Orwell’s allegorical masterpiece tells the story of the Russian revolution and its aftermath. Taking the structure of an anthropomorphised farmyard fable, a group of animals lead a revolt against their human masters, only to find their idealist post-human society fall into authoritarian disrepair. Since its publication, the story has resonated throughout history – though, perhaps its message is more powerful at a time where Vladimir Putin appears to have stepped into the starring role of Napoleon the pig, the aggressive and autocratic leader of Animal Farm.

When wise and persuasive Old Major, the prize boar, calls the animals of Manor Farm together, he tells them of his strange dream of a better future. Driving out the farmer, the animals of Manor Farm intend to run the farm themselves. It’s an uprising. A revolution. Every animal will be free.

Animal Farm at The Lowry.
Animal Farm at The Lowry. Photography by Manuel Harlan

 

Designed with exceptional detail, the show features over 30 life-sized animal puppets.

Bringing spectacle and lots of imagination, the timeless story is enacted through ingenious puppetry and the animals’ words are spoken by a group of actors. Bringing the famous farmyard to life and designed with exceptional detail, the show features over 30 life-sized animal puppets – from cart-horses to tiny birds – all controlled by a talented gang of just 14 operators.

Director Robert Icke is no stranger to adaptations of Orwell’s work – his previous stage production of dystopian novel 1984 (which he co-adapted and directed alongside Duncan Macmillan) earned him his first Olivier Award nomination for Best New Play in 2014. Impressively, this production also sees Icke reunite with four-time Olivier-Award winning designer Bunny Christie following their celebrated collaboration on The Red Barn at the National Theatre.

Recommended for ages 11+, this daring and contemporary production of Orwell’s satirical novella offers a handsome and timely take on a well-studied literary classic.

George Orwell’s Animal Farm is presented by Children’s Theatre Partnership (CTP) in association with Birmingham Rep at The Lowry. CTP creates bold and imaginative theatre for young people, engaging new audiences and aiming to inspire a life-long love of theatre.

Animal Farm at The Lowry, Salford 22 — 26 March 2022 Tickets from £10.00 Book now

Performances

Date
Time
Session Features
23 March 2022
2:00pm — 4:15pm

Accessibility Features

British Sign Language

24 March 2022
2:00pm — 4:15pm
24 March 2022
7:30pm — 9:45pm

Accessibility Features

Audio Described

25 March 2022
7:30pm — 9:45pm
26 March 2022
2:00pm — 4:15pm
26 March 2022
7:30pm — 9:45pm

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

What's on at The Lowry

Outpatient at The Lowry
TheatreMediaCityUK
Outpatient at The Lowry

Following a sell-out Edinburgh Fringe, Crowded Room return to Salford with Outpatient, a solo show exploring the fragility of the human body.

from £14.00

Where to go near Animal Farm at The Lowry

Traditional green and beige tram in blackpool
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
Heritage Tram Tours

Embark on a unique and educational journey along the famous Blackpool Tramway, on board the best of the iconic Heritage Trams.

Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
Sandcastle Waterpark

Bring the whole family together for a day of fun, thrills and exciting aquatic adventures at Sandcastle Waterpark.

© Merlin Entertainments 2024
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
Blackpool Tower Eye

Experience one of the country’s most well-known landmarks in a whole new way. Brave the glass SkyWalk, head to the 4D cinema, or soak up the views at Bar 380.

Blackpool Tower Circus
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
The Blackpool Tower Circus

Visit the oldest permanent circus in the world, showcasing some truly jaw-dropping stunts from contortionists, acrobats and trapeze acts.

Pendle witch scaring visitors at Blackpool Dungeons
Blackpool
Tourist Attraction
The Blackpool Tower Dungeon

With interactive shows and an impressive drop ride, you’re guaranteed thrills, screams and entertainment at The Blackpool Tower Dungeon.

activity 1
Event venue
Frankie’s Paint-It Pottery

Frankie’s Paint-It Pottery is a friendly place to relax and exercise your creative muscles by having a go at pottery painting.

hotel 4
City Centre
Hotel
Shankly Hotel

A glamorous tribute to Bill Shankly in hotel form, where else will you find a place where luxury meets fun in such style?

What's on: Theatre

A close up of a pink bottle of Leeds Sauce
Until
FestivalsLeeds
Compass Festival 2024

With interactive encounters and live performance, Compass Festival is set to animate the city of Leeds this November.

free entry

Culture Guides

Theatre in Manchester and the North
Theatre in Manchester and the North

Alongside experimental performance, new writing and free arts festivals, we take a look at some of the Christmas shows happening in the North.