‘Animal Farm’ done in epic style

By Don Fowler
Posted 4/14/16

I had some fun the other night watching a rehearsal of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” as imaged by Epic Theatre’s Kevin Broccoli.

Broccoli obtained the rights to the stage version, with …

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‘Animal Farm’ done in epic style

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I had some fun the other night watching a rehearsal of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm,” as imaged by Epic Theatre’s Kevin Broccoli.

Broccoli obtained the rights to the stage version, with the author’s suggestion that it be performed by actors standing shoulder to shoulder, reading the script while the audience closes their eyes and imagines what is happening.

Now Kevin is innovative and always willing to try something new and different, but fearing the audience would fall asleep, he chose live action and open eyes.

If you went to high school, chances are you read the allegorical novel about animals taking over the farm and forming their own society.

Broccoli sets his version in a political campaign office, where nine people are working a phone bank.

Old Major (Frank O’Donnell, a man of many talents) picks up the novel that someone left on a desk, and starts reading. The characters assume the roles of the animals and act out their roles, which are interspersed with readings from the book.

It’s a crazy idea, and it works, as the short novel is presented in a little over an hour with no interruption.

“Animal Farm” is being presented at Artists Exchange Theatre 82 at 82 Rolfe St. in Cranston. It might be fun to check it out.

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