Animal Farm: (Stage Version) (NHB Modern Plays)

'Astounding... bracingly modern... an elemental power... Tatty Hennessy's bold yet elegant adaptation does not just carry Orwell's critique of Stalinist Russia, and the book's eternal message on the corrupting nature of power, but also bears resonances of the here and now... You feel these characters' stories as a human tragedy and the entire show pulsates with an immaculate and brilliant modernity. A must-see'

'Tatty Hennessy's muscular, cogent adaptation... punchy and polished, blunt at times yet also sharp, subtle and intellectually harrowing... demonstrates how strongly Orwell's iconic political allegory can still speak to us today'

'Shockingly relevant... essential viewing... it's Animal Farm like you've never seen before... It all unfolds with magnetic, gritty storytelling... brutal and cruel, superbly effective... a complete, cohesive piece that does what theatre should do in times of crisis. It's alluring and alarming, thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking'

'Gripping, galvanising… Tatty Hennessy's extraordinary adaptation'

'Clear-eyed and unfussy... heartrending... this is no charming pastoral folk story... a story that is as relevant as ever'

'Every generation deserves a defining production of this school-syllabus favourite: one that kindles a rage in new audiences, and reignites it in returning viewers. Surely this is it'

'Raw, vigorous and profound... Tatty Hennessy does a brilliant job at preserving the heart of the story and keeping the themes and messages true to the original tale whilst still making it feel fresh. Her script is devastating, funny and thought-provoking'

'Vibrant and bold... the dialogue through is inkeeping with Orwell's but has a sprightly modern air... a subtle and lively adaptation with many modern parallels and toxic leadership in times of crisis... brilliant and a welcome addition. In fact, one might say: all adaptations are equal but some are more equal than others'

'Offers interesting challenges to both actors and directors to utilise a creative and imaginative approach… evokes a rollercoaster of feelings, reaction and emotions… many opportunities for an engrossing production'

George Orwell (the pen name of Eric Arthur Blair) (1903–1950) was an English novelist, essayist, journalist and critic. His works of fiction include Animal Farm (1945) and Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949), while his non-fiction includes The Road to Wigan Pier (1937) and Homage to Catalonia (1938).

Tatty Hennessy is a writer and theatre director. Her writing for the stage includes: adaptations of Bram Stoker's Dracula (National Youth Theatre, 2026) and George Orwell's Animal Farm (National Youth Theatre and Royal & Derngate, 2021; Stratford East/Leeds Playhouse/Nottingham Playhouse, 2025); Something Awful (VAULT Festival, London, 2020); A Hundred Words for Snow (finalist in the inaugural Heretic Voices competition; Arcola Theatre, London, 2018); All That Lives and The Snow Queen.

Short plays include Copycat and Distant Early Warning.