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'All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others' 

George Orwell’s political allegory Animal Farm prompts readers to question the corruptive nature of power, and it remains as chillingly resonant in 2026 as it was in 1945.

On Thursday 29th January, thirty Year 11 English Literature students witnessed this text in its play form at The Loft Theatre in Leamington Spa, where the production delivered a palpable indictment of society.

The evening began with an invitation to take part in a private Q&A session with the play’s director, Mark Crossley. The discussion centred on the timeless nature of Orwell’s message, as well as offering insight into the minimalist staging choices and the breath-taking physicality required of the ensemble cast.

The play itself was utterly engaging. As a group, we were thoroughly transfixed as the actors embodied the physical attributes of pigs, cows, horses, hens, sheep and donkeys. The key moments and quotations the class have spent over a year studying were wonderful to see brought to life on stage. During the interval, many students commented on how clearly the production conveyed the importance of propaganda within the novella; hearing the words performed aloud allowed the manipulative power of language to echo powerfully throughout the auditorium.

Studying literature enables us to examine the world we live in through a critical lens, and this Year 11 group have clearly enjoyed engaging with this text and exploring both the political world of 1945 and the complexities of the political landscape of 2026.

It was an absolute pleasure to accompany the group, and I was immensely proud of their conduct and enthusiasm. Thank you to The Loft Theatre for hosting us and for organising the additional meeting with the director.

Ms Alton