"East Is East" by Ayub Khan Din.

Derby Theatre.

A semi-autobiographical story of growing up in a mixed-race, working-class family in 1970s  Salford. Written in 1996, I first saw this play many years ago in Leicester and loved the rawness and human elements of the play and, although the score has changed from that play to this new production, the rawness and honesty, as well as the comedy still remains as strong as ever. 

"East Is East" is about a tyrant of a father who came over from Pakistan and married a woman from Salford, which is where the play is set, and his fight to keep a grip on his family and his Pakistani beliefs and faith. He is the man that demands respect from his wife and British born family, but he soon discovers that his old fashioned ways are not the faith and beliefs that his family want to follow. They rebel against his attempts for arranged marriages, the freedom he thinks they should have, and their father's view of his responsibility to his family.

There have been several news items over the years about arranged marriages and of what happens to the daughters, and sons, who try to live their Westernised lives, and this play shows the dark side of this enforced implementation by the head of the household who feels that he has to uphold the Pakistani religion. The violence is a complete contrast to the wonderful comedy moments liberally scattered throughout.

George Khan, the father, is played by Baskher Patel, a face you may remember from "Emmerdale". George is a character you, in a way have pity for as he is so wrapped up in his two lives, the one in Pakistan and the Salford family. He also has his devotion to his religion, so much so that he can't see the impact it has on his family. He is rude, violent and disrespectful to his wife, Ella, played by Samantha Power, while demanding her to listen to him and to respect him. This is a very different character to Rishi Sharma from "Emmerdale", but what a fabulous role to play. We get to see both sides of the Pakistani patriarch, from the comedy elements in the regional language to the violence that he shows towards his sons and his wife. and the conflict within his head over his loyalties to his faith, and his struggle with his love for his family. 

Samantha is a real powerhouse actor. The conflict between protecting her children and sticking up for them against the wishes of her husband, and the love that she has for him and wanting to be a good wife is almost heartbreaking to see her torn.

The family, Meenah (Maya Dhokia), Sajit (Rohan MacLeod), Tariq (Zaki Ali), Maneer (Joerava Sanghar), Abdul (Danyal Ishmail) and Saleem (Matthew Khan) are a modern family who want to follow their own modern 1970's lifestyles. A wonderful cast with some brilliant characterisations.

Meenah is a proper westernised young woman who likes the fashion of the day, swears and eats bacon with the rest of her siblings.

Sajit is the youngest of the family who has managed to escape his circumcision appointment when younger, and is the initial reason for the family unrest, well George's unrest with the family. Sajit is the most affected member who prefers to dress in his old parka, and we discover the reason for that attachment when his elder brother, Abdul and Sajit have a conversation. 

It's that decision to have Sajit circumcised that brings the turn around from Ella and the family and brings the downfall of George's kingdom. Rohan who plays Sajit is brilliant as the troubled and damaged son who will not take off his parka, he even sleeps in it. It's only removed under anaesthetic and one other time near the end of the play, which proves to be a defining moment for the boy.

The Doctor is played by Sushil Chudasama, who also plays Mr Shah. Two very different roles, and just wait until you see the hefty gold framed pictures of Mr Shah's suitors for Abdul and Tariq!!

Tariq is rebellious, proud, and defiant against his father, George. He parties, dates English girls, and drinks alcohol, strongly rejecting his father's attempts to force traditional ways and arranged marriages onto him and his siblings. A proper playboy who also has amazing fashion taste and great hair.

Maneer, unlike his more rebellious siblings, is devout, obedient to his father's religious and cultural rules, and frequently seen wearing a skull cap. The play reflects the language of the time, and he is called "Ghandi" by his siblings.

Abdul is quiet, good-natured, reliable, and tries to avoid open conflict. George arranges for Abdul and Tariq to marry the twin daughters of a Bradford businessman, Mr Shah.

Saleem, the fifth son of George and Ella Khan, is secretly studying foundation art rather than the engineering course his strict father believes he is taking. The big comedy scene comes when Saleem brings home his piece of art that he has been working on and is revealed in front of Mr Shah!

The whole cast are brilliant with the family's unwavering devotion to their mother and their changing opinion of their father. The "rod of iron" approach of George and the steadfast protectiveness and love of Ella for her family.

Victoria Brazier also has a lovely role as Auntie Annie which brings so much natural comedy to the play.

Zoe Iqbal and Rahul Sidhu are the Offstage Swing cast members.

The play shows family pride as well as highlighting the faults of the family and is a wonderful slice of 1970's multi cultural Britain and is a modern classic. There are some horrific scenes of family brutality and wife beating, which could actually have been more brutal, but were shocking enough. And then there's the vocabulary and the way George delivers the language that will put a smile on your face

Directed by Kash Ashad, he does not shy away from the language of the day, nor does he shy away from the ripe language used by practically everyone on stage. This in itself delivers the raw human element. 

Kaitlin Howard is the Fight Director. Only one minor point for me is that, to make this even more realistic, I was hoping to hear sound of a slap now and again, especially where the attacks to the face were concerned, and the blow to the stomach could have looked to have had more contact. That said, I was sat quite close to the stage so had a really close view.

Movement Director is Jennifer Kay. There are some lovely dance moves that I found brought a smile to my face because it was Bollywood style dance performed from a British viewpoint.

Set and Costume Design by Rachana Jadhav. The costumes are fantastic, especially Tariq's ensemble.

The set is a work of art with the fish and chip shop literally emerging from the set of the Khan's living room, and then an extension into another room coming out of that. This is a set that keeps on giving.

Lighting Designer is Jane Lalljee. 

Sound Designer is Arun Ghosh. I alluded to a different score for the show. In the show from a decade ago I saw at Leicester Haymarket, the music consisted of the big hits of the early 1970's performed Bhangra style. In this show the music is of a more traditional style.

Natalie Grady is the Dialect Coach making sure that the Manc accent was spot on, as well as the wonderful accent for George.

The story is quite beautiful, and is beautifully acted  by this cast. It's a story that is wonderfully dated, and then again is as relevant as it ever was, and is.

It's a show that is educational, on many levels, plus it's incredibly entertaining. I found out that the run is practically sold out, and I know exactly why that is after seeing the show on Tuesday night.

"East Is East" is at Derby Theatre until Saturday 24 October.

Photography by Pamela Raith.

 "Another Round" by Sharon Rutland.

Nods Theatre Company.

Royal Oak, Ockbrook.

This is Sharon's second play, following on from "Escape", which Nods Theatre performed back in 2023. The play is all about beer and campanology - that's bell ringing to you and me - and the venue is a pub in Ockbrook, Derbyshire.

Kev is a man who lives by standards, and tries to enforce his standards on everybody else involved in the bell ringing group. He is tense and takes that tension out on almost everyone, although sticks up for his wife, who wears many hats within the group, including the Treasurer. Kev is played by Ray Harrison, and I am sure that if I could have seen the veins in his neck, they would have been bulging due to all of that built up pressure of upholding standards. Kev is a brilliant character because inadvertently he adds much of the humour into the plot.

Rachel, Kev's wife, we discover has had a busy past, which comes back to bite her on the backside. She is also the Treasurer and has a penchant for shopping; now there's a pairing that could either go hand in hand, or become a temptation that Oscar Wilde may have a thing to quote about! Played by Heather Berry, this is another character that has been well thought out by Sharon.

Cathy in this evening's show, was played by Sharon Rutland, stepping in at the last moment as Sue Leahy became unwell, and let's face it, who else is going to know the script and the character better than the creator herself. Cathy is a lovely character who sees the comical edge to most things and loves to smooth troubled waters.

Lauren, another bell ringer, is played by Victoria Herbert. Lauren is a mother to Rose, played by Erin Rutland, who brings a breath of fresh air to the collection of bell ringers. Lauren doesn't really "big up" Rose's artistic talents, but through the conversations, those talents are recognised by several of the other characters, which really brings out a different side to Rose's character, and this Rose really starts to bloom!

Like so many of these characters in the play, you recognise them in people that you know, or have known in the past. Bob, is one of those characters. Easy going in nature, Jonathan Wolff brings that easiness out of the character, who, as we go through the play, we find knows all of the other characters' backgrounds, as you do when you're part of a village like this.

Jack is always putting off his role in the bell ringing, preferring to spend his time at the village pub, cracking jokes and pulling out the puns, some so bad that there were a few groans from the packed audience. As we go through the play, we find out a few things about his past. In the end though, he comes good when his bell ringing experience realises that there's something he needs to do! Owen Anthony is Jack.

Tom is one of the guests of the wedding party that the bell ringers are ringing their bells for. He finds his way up to the tower where the bells are being rung from and straight away gets into Kev's good books by showing that he is a capable campanologist and would like to keep his hand in. Tom also recognises a familiar face among the group who he has history with! Tom is played by Ian McHugh.

Alex is the barmaid at the village pub that Jack spends so much time in. There's a scene near the end that made me smile, which was done quite subtly, with Alex reacting to a conversation with Jack Kerry and Tom. Alex is played by Hazel Whaley.

And finally Kerry, the new Vicar, who has some interesting changes in mind for the church, changes that would definitely fall way below Kev's standards. Kerry also gives an interesting insight into some of the other characters in the play. This very modern Vicar is played heavenly by Jennie Ruddle.

Written and Directed by Sharon Rutland, who has rung a few bells in her time, so the facts about bell ringing are spot on. I was educated and entertained with this new play and Sharon has created some wonderful characters all set around the hobby of bell ringing, and not forgetting beer as well. Richard Whitehorn is Assistant Director; Richard I last saw, as far as I can remember, in their last production "The Roses Of Eyam".

Pat McHugh was the show's prompt, and even though there were times when I though a prompt was needed, I didn't hear one prompt from Pat. This, I think, was a wonderful example of leaving a gap in the script to create an air of tension, and the prompt recognising when one is actually needed is a special quality.

Lighting for the production is by Timothy Fryzer-Smith. The two areas of the village pub and the bell ringing area were separated well with the lighting.

Sound Designer is Jane Hough. There are some lovely timed sound effects which really expand the external vision of this play.

The set design is by David Bloodworth, Elaine Sellors, Brian Meese and Dennis Henshaw. The main area for the set has six ropes suspended from a framework with a wall showing an interesting whiteboard and information board, plus an exit which leads down the stairs of the tower, enabling another access point to enter and exit the "tower". The other section of the performing area contains the bar scenes. This is a massive boon to have a real working bar to use for a bar-room scene.

Talking of which, this is the first time that I have been to The Royal Oak in Ockbrook, and what a gorgeous pub it is. Think oldie worldy atmosphere with a few offshoot rooms named the "Snug" and the "Tap Room", almost reminiscent of the Rovers return from the Sixties. Cosy little nooks, the largest room being the room where the play is performed. The staff are extremely friendly and the decor just takes you back to a time which is so much simpler than today. An absolutely lovely venue for a play of this feel.

The reason for the name of the play is revealed in the very last sentence of the play as well. This is a new play which has plenty of ap peal, hitting all the right notes, and just in case you want to expand your terminology of bell ringing, there's plenty of that in the programme as well. Educational and thoroughly entertaining.

Nods Theatre Company are supporting the charity "Little LIves, Big Journeys", the Centre Neonatal Transport, which is a dedicated service based in the East Midlands, specialising in neonatal transport between hospitals.

"Another Round" is at The Royal Oak until Saturday 17 October with a 2.30 matinee, but tickets are very sparse, and after tonight, I can see exactly why they are.

Cheers!

 "A Butler Did It" by Robert Scott.

Bonington Players.

Bonington Theatre, Arnold.

The Butler family is congregating to attend the funeral of their aunt, Francesca Bloom, who doesn't seem to have been the most popular member of the family. But what you see may not be quite as it seems!

There's a lot of manipulation from some of the characters and what "whodunnit" play would not be complete without a few twists thrown in for good measure? But can we really believe that a Butler did do it, or was it someone else......?

Andrew Butler is a movie star who has done well for himself in Hollywood but has a shady secret, which is revealed not too far into the play. Played by Christian King, we first see him being interviewed by the police in a smart black suit complete with dark glasses, an image to match his "superstar film star" status. As the play goes on, we discover that he's not entirely happy with his life, even though he has just remarried and has returned from his honeymoon. Christian is an excellent comedy actor, but in this role we also see how good he is portraying a villain; but that's not say that his character is guilty of first degree murder....or is he?

 Kimberley Butler is Andrew's wife. They have just come back from what at first seems like an idyllic honeymoon, straight off the plane, straight to the home of the late Francesca Bloom. Played by Charlotte Hukin, who delivers a marvellous upper-class accent and shows a privileged air, well after all, she has married into money. But money is not all that she wants from this family.......

Freddie Butler is Andrew's brother. Freddie has gambling issues and we find that he owes quite a bit of money to some heavies, who are in a rush to get the debt paid. His wealthy film star brother has agreed, again, to help him out of his hole by providing him with the million he needs to clear the debt. But the debt is not the only issue Freddie has! Eddie Januszczyk plays Freddie, and as usual, we get a perfectly pitched comedy performance. His scene later in the play with the housekeeper/maid is a fantastic physical farce fest.

Colin Butler is Andrew's other brother and is a nervous wreck. Andrew Goodfellow-Swaap, a newcomer to Bonington Players, plays Colin, who states from the moment he comes out of the closet, literally, that he does not feel at all comfortable being in the same room as his brothers, and we find out why very quickly. Andrew does awkward very well, which is just as well because Colin finds himself at the centre of some really awkward situations. Andrew is a relative newcomer to the stage but this doesn't come through with the confidence shown by Andrew. I'd just suggest a little more projection in places, but the volume provided could also be interpreted as Colin's nervousness in the situations he finds himself in, but as a debut, this is good.

Ester Butler is Colin's wife and played by Lindsey Hemingway. Ester has to take charge of her husband on more than one occasion; the character is a strong one and Lindsey shows that strength brilliantly, but then again Lindsey is a very strong actor who is used to delivering strong characters to the stage.

Sally Ann Dowling is an eccentric, confused maid who mixes up her words and is there to make sure that the funeral guests are well catered for, maybe over catered. Francesca had left Sally Ann in charge of the proceedings for the funeral, maybe because she has been in service for Francesca for a long time. Several smaller comic scenes for Gennie Price, who plays Sally Ann, but the scene in her work out gear, complete with Olivia Newton-John's "Physical" in the headphones exercise to is a scene that made me smile. Just a while later she finds another way to destress with a member of the gentry! 

Jasper King Jr is the aged Butler, who like Sally Ann, has been in service to the Blooms and The Butlers for many, many years. Wayne Hill plays Jasper with brilliant physicality, slowly moving from one side of the stage to the other is comedy gold in itself. I've witnessed quite a few of Wayne's stage characters over the years, and this is one of his best comic roles.

Francesca Bloom is played by Anne McCarroll, and I think you may have surmised that if Bonington Players have cast an actor of the quality of Anne, in her debut with the group, then the role must be more than that of a corpse. You would be right and I don't think that I'm giving anything away to say that this is the first of many surprising twists in this play. 

Inspector Bridge is the detective on the case along with Inspector Henderson, who is the more enthusiastic of the pair. Played by Des Fitzpatrick and Zoe Lander respectively, this pair are well matched in the casting. Bridge is a typical East End copper who plays the "bad cop" role with Henderson being more of the "good cop" figure. The scene with Henderson interviewing Colin though is a comedy masterpiece, obviously written by a comedy mastermind, but I won't spoil it by saying why - go and see it.

Dawson is a brief that is assigned to the case. She has a bit of a crush on the famous Andrew Butler, and the fact that she gets text or WhatsApp messages from her mother, complete with emojis ensures that the timeline of the story remains modern. Played by Joanne Smith, who also makes her debut for the Bonington Players.

Directed by Chris Gardner and Billy Bamberger, this production is one of the funniest farces - even though a farce is supposed to have five doors, who cares the set is two doors short. The first act gives not a lot away, and having never heard of this play, never mind seen it previously, you're at the mercy of the cast to feed you the information, and they do that brilliantly. I had no idea at all what was to happen in the second act and though to myself of what the possibilities could be. My guesses were nowhere near what actually happens! As of the end of the first act, we had no lifeless bodies, but after the start of act two........

Sound and lighting design is by David Goatham and Sound Operator being Robin Davis with the lighting operated by one of the theatre technicians. Some well timed sound effects and an explosion that made a few people jump!

The set has been designed by Howard Whitehurst.  The set is predominantly taken up by the living room of Francesca Bloom, but there's a little space, highlighted by the lighting, which shows an interview space in the police station. One of several things that I always look forward to with the Bonington Players are the set designs. This is no different, the set is perfect, the sort of room I could see myself living in myself. Howard's knowledge of design is second to none, as shown here. The set dressing is thanks to Linda Whitehurst.

Construction of the set is by Steve Atkin, Carol Hill, Nick Hill, Neil Lylack and Gareth Morris.

Props are thanks to Glynis Hunt.

Stage managed by Luke Richardson, assisted by Nigel Kenton and Gail Tomlinson.

Many people will only go and see plays that they know, but I love seeing plays that I have never seen or heard of before. Sometimes it's a bit of a gamble, but in the case of this one, it's a gamble that I would wager will not leave anyone disappointed. It's one of the funniest murder mystery comedies that I have seen ever, which makes me wonder why it's a play that is not performed more often. I guarantee that you will leave with a smile on your face.

Another big success for The Bonos, thanks to a great choice of play, wonderful cast, great make up and costumes, and perfect Production team. Also watch out for their next play in January called "The Tin Woman"

"A Butler Did It" is being performed by Bonington Players at Bonington Theatre, Arnold until Saturday 17 October. It'll be a crime to miss this one.

 "The Curious Incident Of The dog In The Night Time" by Melting Pot and Birmingham Rep.

Adapted by Simon Stephens from Mark Haddon’s novel.

Nottingham Theatre Royal.

I first saw this play over a decade ago, and it's since become a firm favourite of mine. I even sought out the book to read.

This production is different to any other version of the play that I have seen as it shows Christopher Boone, as Christine Boone, apart from the gender swap of the main character, the story is practically the same, although the adaptation is different in parts.

The book was written by Mark Haddon and the story, told through the book and through the eyes of Chris Boone, a 15-year-old girl who describes herself as "a mathematician with some behavioural difficulties" living in Swindon, Wiltshire. Although not confirmed in the play, or book, Chris suffers from Aspergers Syndrome, but the play does not focus on this but Chris and how she deals with the curveballs that life throws her, starting with the killing of her neighbour's dog, Wellington, after which Chris makes it her job to turn detective to solve the murder. This is done by the end of Act One which leaves the unfolding of Chris's personal life and the affects her family's actions have made on her.

The play highlights not only Chris's personal lows and triumphs but catalogues the difficulties of being a one parent family, from her father's point of view as well as the mother's, creating a well balanced viewpoint.

It shows Chris's school mentor and teachers, Mrs Shears, who was Wellington's owner, Mr Shears who was the reason, or one of the reasons that Chris's mother decided to leave the family home, and Mrs Alexander, who through Chris's stubbornness to bring the dog's killer to justice, unveils more of the mystery of why Chris's mother left home.

Chris has logged all of these developments in her book and when her father discovers the book and hides it away from Chris, she decides to retrieve her book and discovers more of his past, and that her father has not been altogether truthful about a certain area of her life.

The story could have turned Chris's character into an object of pity, but instead  shows her as the unwilling hero of the piece who gets everything that she had wanted at the start, and all with a happy ending.

Alex Keenan takes on the role of Chris and brings a real visual realisation of a person of neurodiversity via the physicality of Chris. In the past Chris has always been played, or at least the productions that I have seen, by a male actor. Alex brings a new feel and a more delicate understanding of the role I felt, even changing the policeman to a police woman who initially was called to the scene of the dog murder. Both Alex, and Imi Price who shares the role of Chris, are neurodivergent, again adding a realism to the character.

Judy Boone, Chris's Mother, is played by Charlie Brooks, who audience members will know from playing Janine Butcher in "Eastenders", but has also carved a varied career on stage with many wonderful parts, none less the brilliant role in "Beautiful Thing" at the Nottingham Playhouse a few years ago. 

Ed Boone, Judy's estranged husband and Chris's Father is played by Joe McFadden, who people will also recognise from many TV and stage roles.

Completing the cast are Bridgett Amofah, Alex Murdoch, Matthew Bulgo, Jerone Marsh Reid, Carla Garratt, Tom Clegg, Robert Penny and Sera Mustafa, who play several roles each and make up the Ensemble.

Directed by Ned Bennett, the play is fast moving, in parts almost cinematic; it's like watching one scene of a movie changing to the next on a different location, there is literally no time to blink at times for fear of missing something. I'm not sure if it's the adaptation or the direction, but there seemed to be a lot more blaspheming throughout the story, which in parts I thought were not warranted. It also reminded me in parts of a more adult version of "Sesame Street" in the way the story was set out as an educational tool.

Set and Costume design is by Eleanor Bull. It used to be a very technical piece of theatre with a backdrop like an electronic motherboard which throws up lights, images and effects, as well as doubling as storage cupboards for the minimal props. This has changed and has become a more simple affair but with a backdrop of a videography, which worked just as well to tell the story. The video work and Lighting Effects were courtesy of Paul Coxon and Jordan Williams. The Video Design, which was excellent by the way, is by Hayley Egan.

Costume Supervisor is Izzy Pellow.

Lighting is so important in the above, and lighting designer, Laura Howard, did an amazing job with the complicated and technical light patterns and sequences.

Sound Designer and Composer is Giles Thomas. The sound design adds a lot to this production, as well as the original compositions by Giles.

The choreography of the play was almost a showcase of contemporary dance and would have been a joy to watch without the story that wove between the choreographed pieces. Jennifer Jackson is the genius Movement Director. It was magical and hypnotic to watch.

Eve Hall is in charge of the multitude of Props. Here's another big change I noticed as well. There are different props in this production like giant dominoes and large inflatable yellow balls. Loved the way that the letters descended from the roof in an almost flood of correspondence, almost in the same way as in "Calendar Girls".

It's a wonderful story where the title gives nothing away and is only a springboard to the events that follow for Chris and her parents. There is a lot of comedy and some great one liners as well as some excellent choreographed parts, wonderful technical showcase which brings a fresh and extremely modern piece of theatre to the stage, but on a personal level, I just felt that it didn't quite match up to the other shows I'd seen. That said, it's still an excellent piece of theatre with a brilliant cast who really covered the stage, and at speed.

"The Curious Incident Of the Dog In The Night Time" is on at the Nottingham Theatre Royal until Saturday 17 October.

 "Animal Farm" by George Orwell (adapted by Tatty Hennessey)

Nottingham Arts Theatre Youth Group.

Nottingham Arts Theatre.

Earlier this year I had the privilege of seeing a small section from this production when I was asked to be the Adjudicator for NANDA. Tonight I had the pleasure of seeing the whole production.

Sick and tired of being maltreated under their enslavement from man, the animals of Manor Farm revolt. Released from all chains, there is but one key rule: All animals are equal. Yet, as the story progresses we soon see some animals are more equal than others…

Orwell uses the turmoil faced on the farm by the animals as a metaphor for the Russian Revolution. It shows how a people's fight for freedom can quickly morph into a power play as chaos ensues.

Orwell plants lies, illiteracy and even a head hunt throughout the play to explain the oppression, propaganda and excuses that led to the rise of the Soviet dictatorship. Although routed in the powerplay of the Soviet Union, you can very easily see comparisons with Putin, Trump and Burnham in this story, just showing that although first published in 1945, is as relevant now as it was back then.

It's relatively easy for a film to create the feeling of power and fear, but not that easy to do convincingly in the theatre, but both of these feelings are well portrayed here. It takes a talented group to create such an uneasy feeling over an audience but in the second part of this play, the unease of the power pig, Napoleon was apparent.

Young people are so in tune with politics currently, and this powerful, political novel and piece of theatre is ideal to show that they understand what Orwell was saying, and predicted, and it's their understanding that gives this show the bite and attitude that is left on that stage tonight.

Let's head to the Pig Pen....

Napoleon, who becomes the tyrannical dictator of the farm, is played by Andrei Morris, a rare commodity in local theatre at the moment. He is young, male and black, everything that local theatre is short of, and has been for a while. And boy, can he deliver a powerful speech. You see the confidence of Napoleon rising with every speech and his importance on the farm is mapped out by the clothes Napoleon wears throughout.

Squealer is Napoleon's right hand, silver tongued pig, he helps convince the rest of the farm animals that what Napoleon says is the best way forward. Played excellently by Oliver Sheard. I've seen Oli on stage many times over the years and this role has leapt to the top and overtaken my previous favourite Oli role of Beadle Bamford in "Sweeney Todd". There's a feeling of Batman's Joker the way that Oli plays this, and I'll tell you why I thought this. Oli ends every sentence in a very precise way and then, most of the time breaks into an almost sneer; you know the way when a cunning plan is coming together and you just can't help to almost smile to yourself. So, is Squealer the puppet master?

Snowball, the pig who designs the windmill and champions Animalism, is one from the old school. He follows the rules of Old Major, but when he comes up against Napoleon and his dogs, he is soon dispensed. Snowball is played by James Cragg, again an actor I've seen on stage in several roles in the past.

Nutmeg, who heads up the leadership among the pigs and challenges the revolutionary changes on the farm, is played by Darcey Orwin.

Old Major is the prize-winning Middle White boar whose vision of a Utopian, rebellion-driven society sparks the revolution. Played by Zach Silcock who adds another brilliant role to his already extensive theatrical CV.

Minimus is a poet character who writes the poem "Comrade Napoleon," praising Napoleon as a god-like figure, provider, and protector. The role is played by Lizzy Rhodes, who also gets to air her vocals solo in the non rhyming ode to Napoleon.

And so on to the stables and the horses.....

Boxer, the cart horse with immense strength, is a solid supporter of Napoleon's, even though there's doubt towards the end, he too is sold down the river by Napoleon where Boxer comes to a sticky end. Played by Elizabeth Fitzgerald, who shows us that working harder and longer doesn't always pay dividends. You see, not all the commentary is of a political nature, we can take a lot from what Orwell wrote and incorporate it into our everyday life.

Clover, the gentle, motherly cart-horse and Boxer's close companion, who often suspects the pigs are breaking the Seven Commandments, is played by Eliza Szejda. You can feel that close bond between Boxer and Clover, especially so in the latter part of the play.

Playing Molly, the vain, foolish white mare who loves ribbons and sugar cubes, eventually abandoning the farm for human attention, is Mia Woodward.

Lenny Brady plays Benjamin, a cynical, long-lived donkey who refuses to get enthusiastic about the rebellion, believing that life will always remain hard. Benjamin is the clever one who can read and this comes in handy in the second part of this play. Another great character driven role for Lenny.

In the Farmyard there's Blue, the dog, played by Harry Merrick. Blue is taken in by Napoleon's power and whatever Squealer tells him, and joins the ranks, following their orders and policing the farm, which ends drastically for some of the characters who are in danger of standing in the way of Napoleon and Squealer's plans.

Clara, the hen, is played by Tilda Hatton. A rebellious bird who shows that her feathers have been ruffled in a sad and personal way in the second act. Tilda brings out the maternal side of the character in the first act which shows just how strong her feelings are about a certain decision that Napoleon had later set in place.

Milo, the gossipy pigeon who flutters in every now and again to spread the gossip on what she sees in and around the farmyard, is played by Abigail McGregor.

Mr Jones, the drunken, neglectful owner of Manor Farm who is overthrown by the animals, and Mr PIlkington, the easy-going owner of the neighbouring Foxwood Farm, is played by Connie Tegerdine.

A mindless flock of sheep that drown out dissent by bleating slogans like "Four legs good, two legs bad" are played by Sophie Murphy (Minty) along with the ensemble, who cover all the other characters down on the farm, played by Lizzie Kenny, Bethany Winter, La-Mai McKenzie and Polly Sibley. Zach Silcock and Lizzy Rhodes also join the Ensemble.

The show is an Ensemble piece and this production shows just how good a cast of this size work so well with each other.

Directed by Keira Dormer-Hazell who really helps to bring the characterisation of the animals via the cast alive. The snorting and sniffing, baying and barking of the animals, even when not centre stage brings the reality of a farm alive. Keira gets the protagonists to spread doubt and fear throughout the other animals in such a convincing way that you can smell the fear from the auditorium. The pace is held up brilliantly which results in the length of the show coming in at two hours, with interval. As with my preview for NANDA, it left me wanting more. Assisting Keira was Jack Kent.

Stage managed by Cathy Bodman who encouraged the slickness and smooth running of the story and performance. Rosa Lymer was Deputy Stage Manager.

The set design was basic but that was all that was needed because the story itself shone in the hands of this cast. Nothing was needed to distract on stage, but the several props that were required were all relevant and used well. I imagine that the design may also have been in the vision of Keira's mind, to keep the staging simple and effective.

Wardrobe is not mentioned but I felt this played a very important part in the play and the story. As you'd expect, being on a farm yard the basic costumes, T Shirts, dungarees etc were mud stained to show the work that the animals do. But as I mentioned earlier the rise of importance was also depicted by the upgrade of the costumes with Squealer and Napoleon moving from vest and pants to suits and ties.

I loved the music used in the show; a style of industrial music, imagine New Order and Factory records style and that's what you got. Another thing I liked as well was that Sound Operator George Wilson was not afraid to use the volume button, and this in itself created that oppressiveness felt by the animals and it injected fear.

I also loved the contemporary choreography, which in a way reminded me of another George Orwell piece, "1984" with the struggles involved and Big Brother watching everything and ruling what you think, say and do. Just another gorgeous piece of a gorgeous jigsaw.

Lighting design is by Oliver Read. This design also created the perfect atmosphere needed for the story.

I've seen a few productions of Orwell's "Animal Farm" and this is right up there with some of the best. This though had a strangely modern feel, maybe it's because of the state of the UK and the world at the moment with someone trying to make the majority believe in something that maybe isn't quite as honest, where rebellion may just be around the corner.

"Animal Farm" can be seen at the Nottingham Arts Theatre on Sunday 11 October at 2pm. Saturday evening was very well attended and I am hoping that Sunday will be just as popular because this cast and crew deserve your attention of this classic story.

Photography by Martin Holtom