Author's Note
George Orwell's "Animal Farm" must rank amongst the greatest satires in the English language. As a school set work it inspired the writing of "Animals" many years later. As an allegorical expose of Stalinist communism as well as other totalitarian regimes, it is a rich field for the dramatist. Adding music, dance and movement can only amplify this potential. In Orwell's "fairy tale", as he calls it, by no means only for children, comedy, pathos, despair and hope, tragedy and triumph make for a mix of profound irony. Ever present too, is the possibility of conflict, especially in the depiction of its diverse characters.
It is an interesting reflection that "Animals" was performed at Lincoln School, Kathmandu, Nepal, by a cast of international students, which bears testimony to its universality.
It is hoped that with this relatively free adaptation, justice is done to the spirit of Orwell's stark and affecting story.

W.J.v.d.Walt
M.R.Williams
January, 2000

General
The musical, with dialogue and spoken verse, has 8 soloists (gender N/A) and requires a strong supporting cast between 20-40 young people. The music is a contemporary mix of blues, jazz , rock and gospel and is scored for piano and electric bass. Running time: 90 minutes.

Cast List
HUMANS
Farmer Jones - Dissolute, arrogant farmer
Mrs Jones - Harridan farm wife
Pilkington - Caricatures of yokel farmers
Frederick - Caricatures of yokel farmers
PIGS
Old Major - Old, wise and pompous
Squealer - Shrewd, smooth-talking
Napoleon - Gruff, imperious
Snowball - Intellectual, stuffy, idealistic
Minimus - Erudite, precocious poet
HORSES
Boxer - Hard-working, trusting
Clover - Motherly, supportive
Molly - Indulged, cheeky
COWS- Stolid
DONKEY
Benjamin - Cynical, wise
RAVEN
Moses - Anachronistic dreamer
POULTRY
Hens 1,2 + 3 - Perky, quirky
Rooster - Cocky
Goose - Fussy
SHEEP GROUPINGS (Suggested number of 3 sheep per group)
Sheep 1, 2 - Credulous, dotty
DOGS
Adolf - Act 1 Loveable, affable pups
Genghis Khan - Act 2 Savage, dangerous
Idi
Stalin
Mao
Saddam
CAT - Slinky, sexy

Musical Package

• 1 x Vocal/piano score
• Electric bass part
• Text and lyrics of musical
• 3 copies of George Orwell's Animal Farm published by Heinemann Publishers
• Tape cassette of the music of Animals
• Macrat Teacher Resource guide
• Backing Track available upon request