ANIMAL Farm, performed by actors in Years 7 -9) wasn't the traditional faire of cosy entertainment.

Instead, directors Jane and Steve Evans assaulted the audience with a powerful barrage of political theatre performed by a committed and cohesive cast of over 60.

Performing in a Queen's Hall transformed into a ramshackle garage containing all manner of junk; oil drums, tyres, pallets and two full-sized wrecked cars, the huge ensemble cast were able to draw the audience into George Orwell's dark parable using a perfect blend of physical theatre, mime and junk percussion, and not a mask in sight.

Although clearly a team effort, there were some outstanding individual performances.

Sophia Vahdati's Napoleon captured the menace of the megalomaniac dictator with her powerful physicality and voice.

Freddy Carter's Squealer supported this superbly conveying charm and plausibility at first but giving way to tantrum, petulance and cruelty as the denouement ensued.

Sam Leaney's strong, principled but, alas, intellectually-challenged Boxer provided emotional intensity; as did Katy Gough (Clover the horse), who with Laura Robinson (Muriel the goat) gave us one of the highlights of the piece in their beautifully sung duet 'This Isn't What We Wanted'.

Some dark humour was provided by Jake Evans as the cynical old donkey Benjamin and accompaniment was expertly provided by Heidi Munson on a suitably shabby looking piano and a well-drilled 'rhythm section' playing anything they could lay their hands on.

Intriguing, inventive and moving, this play was 'total theatre'.

Choral singing directed by Alison Foyle was incredibly strong and this enhanced the action superbly.

Lighting (by Dan Hutchinson and Katie Anderson) and sound (by Chris Tuffin) beautifully complimenting choreographed sequences and superb acting performances.

Contributed