Animal Farm at The Lowry

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

Animal Farm at 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 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.

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Where to go near Animal Farm at The Lowry

Manchester
Gallery
Irwell Sculpture Trail

The 33-mile trail, which follows the River Irwell from Salford Quays all the way to Bacup in Pennine Lancashire, has been around for over a decade, but it’s recently been restored and expanded.

Manchester
Shopping Centre
Lowry Outlet Mall

The Lowry Outlet Mall in The Quays district of Manchester sits opposite both The Lowry and MediaCityUK, Europe’s largest media hub and the home of BBC North.

Manchester
Bar or Pub
Central Bay

Central Bay is a new waterfront dining and drinking destination at Quayside MediaCity, opening summer 2023.

MediaCityUK
Café or Coffee Shop
Blanconero

High-level Italian food in Salford Quays, with no less than seven different lasagnas to choose from.

The Quays
Restaurant
The Alchemist Mediacity

The latest offering from the UK-conquering Alchemist has an energetic vibe similar to others in this highly-regarded chain of restaurants.

Salford
Uswim
at Salford Quays

Jump into waters of dock 9 at Salford Quays with Uswim, they bring the benefits and freedom of open water swimming to the convenience of a central location.

Manchester
Restaurant
11 Central

11 Central is a new bar and microbrewery launched by local brewing legends SEVEN BRO7HERS BREWING CO at the Central Bay site in Salford.

Ice Rink
Manchester
MCUK Ice Rink
at Media City

Embrace that most Christmassy of activities and get your skates on outside of the chaotic city centre this winter. The Ice Rink at Media City will be serving festive fun till January 5th.

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