CONSIDERED one of the best novels in the 20th Century, Animal Farm has enthralled generations of readers with its tale of political intrigue and allusions to the Stalinist era before World War II. Nonetheless, what gives Animal Farm its longevity is the cautionary tale against tyranny that resonates with us even until today.
Adopting the acclaimed novel into a theatre production with a sharp Singaporean satirical edge is Stageit, Singapore Management University’s (SMU) only student-led drama and theatre arts group. Established in 2002, Stageit has been involved in annual productions in various theatrical forms, such as Kuo Pao Kun’s Lao Jiu – 9th Born, Li Lien Fung’s The Sword Has Two Edges as well as musicals like Ho Min Fong’s Sing To The Dawn.
Based on the faithful theatre adaptation of the George Orwell novel by Ian Wooldridge, Stageit’s Animal Farm promises to be a multi-layered political play that will leave us thinking.
Synopsis of the play:
Manor Farm, one of the top notch farms in the land, is run by a Man named Jones. Lead by the Pigs – Snowball, Napoleon and Squealer – the Animals throw Jones off the farm, rename it Animal Farm and take over its running on their terms. Their independence is affirmed when, under the heroic leadership of Snowball, they quell Jones’ attempt at reacquiring Animal Farm by force. Not able to see eye to eye, Napoleon ousts Snowball to claim the seat of rule of Animal Farm for itself and its cronies, including its child Minimus.
Meanwhile, the Lower Animals – Boxer, the horse; Clover, its workmate; and Benjamin, the donkey – have to be content with working the farm daily; deprived of milk and enticed only by the occasional slice of red apple; their faith in a better future coaxed by the spiritual prophecies of Moses, the raven.
What does the future hold in store for the Lower Animals – the less privileged, less educated, and less well-born? What is the light of hope for them when absolute power absolutely corrupts?
Details:
10 and 11 Oct 2009 (Saturday & Sunday), 8pm, Victoria Theatre
Ticket prices:
Early Bird Special
$26 – Adults
$18 – Students, NSF
(Oct 1st onwards)
$28 – Adults
$20 – Students, NSF
Buy your tickets now through SISTIC website, www.sistic.com.sg, SISTIC hotline: (65) 6348 5555 and at all SISTIC Authorised Agents. For other enquiries, email stageit@sa.smu.edu.sg.
Tongue-in-cheek, “Will the pigs be wearing white shirt and pants?”
Appropriate timing & very relevant to our nationg…
PIW – pigs in white…:)
oops..i mean nation..error
some of them actually look like pigs…our ministers.
Some of the lower animals were HOTA-ed. Animal Farm is a very sad story. It reminds me of Singapore aka the animal farm.
i had a napmare that the show got postponed due to some reasons.
hahaha.. the whole PAPPY should go and watch. Can do some self reflection there.
They’d be thinking, “hmmm.. why do they act like us??”
Why pay to watch when the play is being enacted before for the last 40 years for free?
to 8)
it is not free, our parents, you and I are still paying for this on-going show.
PAP supporters should watch this…
Why is this advertorial under “main stories” on TOC? Has TOC become an advertising platform as well?
Humans have proven they failed.
Not only that , they have proven they will continue to fail in the upcoming.
Its now left to the supernatural forces to get rid of evil thrash.
Fortunately, time is on the side of the Righteous.
A guaranteed consolation prize.
We can only wait.
errata:
should be : “Not only that , they are predicted to continue to fail in the upcoming.”
what is show to show?
come on lah , if youths are not social-poloitico apathetic ,
they would have participated in huge numbers at HLP rallies on Human rights, Green peace movement, min bon fiascos etc.
Have they?
You tell the me.
Tell me the Why.
can u debunk me? huh?
PIW, Pig In White ? right on…
Govt is using Pork Barrel Politics to win election.
14) Lim Boon Heng
I shall tell you the ‘why’ Singapore youths are generally social-poloitico apathetic.
> Look at the education system – do they need to think much?
> Look at how the govt seduce people with money for top talents (defined by paper qualifications) – all that matters to parents & their children is paper qualifications.
> Look at our mainstream media ST for eg, all that is reported is how proud we are of SG, how good our govt is, how strong our economy is… in other words, they have a Papa to take care of them, all is well.
> Finally, look at the cameras at Hong Lim park!
I forgot one more thing, look at the Confucious teaching – respect your elders (esp those with authorities including your boss, teachers, MPs, Ministers, the PM etc). It is a good teaching but also a good tool for keeping the youths in check. Protesting is not respectful, therefore bad, because it is to point out that those above are wrong.
From my modest understanding of the Confucius Teachings, I see an excellent balance of RESPECT for Elders, AND also to COURAGEOUSLY STAND for the RIGHT, BE IT AGAINST Kings or Parents – Speak up He says …..with RESPECT!
Not to Kow Tow to sell one ‘s soul to the devil but to have RESPECT for OTHERS while having CHIVALRY and the Courage to Speak up !
If we are to truly Follow Sir Confucius Teachings PAP would have long been put in place .
I think it became too dangerous for PAP to allow Religious Studies to carry on in schools, especially with the Christain and Confucius Teachings which teach you to STAND FOR THE TRUTH even before Kings !
Singapore = Animal Farm
Farmer Jones = British empire
Liberator Snowball = Lim Chin Siong
Authoritarian stealing power Napolean = Lee Kuan Yew
Wong Can’t Sing
Lee Mei Hua
Tan Yong Soooon
Charlie Chong
should audition for the pig roles.