(Pic from the 2014 production of “Animal Farm”)
Nobulali Productions in association
with The Playhouse Company presents the return of Neil Coppen’s widely
acclaimed stage adaptation of Animal Farm
in the Playhouse Drama from August 2 to 7.
In 2014, multiple award-winning writer,
designer and director Neil Coppen adapted and created a new theatrical version
of George Orwell’s timeless classic novel Animal
Farm, first published in 1945. This toured nationally, scooping two
prestigious Naledi Awards in 2015 in the categories, Best Production for Young
Audiences and Best Ensemble.
The production’s casting includes Mpume
Mthombeni/ Tshego Khutsoane (Napoleon), MoMo Matsunyane (Snowball), Mandisa
Nduna (Nduna), Zesuliwe Hadebe (Clover) and Khutjo Bakunzi-Green (Boxer).
Coppen says: “while the themes,
characters and ideas behind Orwell’s text remain unchanged, our production
tells the story with a uniquely South African slant to it. This I believe will
ensure it has relevance and topicality for contemporary audiences.”
Nobulali Productions offers highly
sought-after live performances of school setworks which are supported by
interactive workshops. With only 10 performances of Animal Farm and a high level of interest in the production,
bookings will be on a first-come first-served basis so early booking is
advisable.
Heading up the creative team is
frequent collaborator Tina Le Roux who has lit the show and choreographer
Daniel Buckland-- who recently returned from performing abroad with Cirque du
Soleil—and is the son of movement maestro Andrew Buckland.
"It was an intensive yet very
inspiring creative process," says Coppen, "It's a gift for any writer
to work with Orwell's timeless text and find creative ways to transfer it to a
local farm setting without altering the source material in the process. Perhaps
the scariest part is that Orwell's allegory perfectly mirrors South Africa's
current political climate, so while adapting it, I didn't have to take too many
liberties to make it relevant for South African audiences.
“The text is currently a high school
set-work, and it was an interesting project to be devising while the real-life
drama of the national elections played out earlier this year. It is important
that we develop a young audience through cutting edge work that relates to them
in today’s context,” he adds.
Producer Lali Dangazele believes that
this work “encourages the audience to think critically about the reoccurring
patterns of power and corruption within political systems and structures. As
the country celebrates 21 years of democracy- I couldn’t imagine a more
important time to be having these discussions with emerging learners and
leaders.”
The actresses worked extensively with
choreographer Daniel Buckland to bring the eclectic Barnyard of Orwell’s imagining
(not to mention three epic battle scenes) to life. This is achieved with the
help of some innovative shadow puppetry and costuming by Johannesburg-based
designer Thando Lobese.
Animal Farm plays
in The Playhouse Drama Theatre on August 2, 4 and 5 at 09h00 and 12 noon and on
August 6 at 10h00. Public performances will be given on August 6 at 10h00 and 19h00,
and on August 7 at 15h00.
Tickets for the schools performances
are R70 per learner (accompanying educators free). For school bookings e-mail Doreen@thinktheatre.co.za / 086
402 9592. Enquiries: 084 556 0668
Public booking is via the Playhouse Box
Office on 031-369 9540 0 369 9596 (office hours). Or book through Computicket on
0861 915 8000, or online at www.computicket.com.
Nobulali Productions is a company that
was established out of a need to make Shakespeare and other set works
prescribed by the Department of Education as well as Independent Examinations
Board easy to understand. Arts Education 100 Schools Campaign is the company's
invaluable investment toward creative arts and response to the National
Development 2030 ideals. For more information visit www.shakexperience.com
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