Animal Farm

March 01, 2009

Production Highlights

• First in-house production of The Freedom Theatre Professional Theatre School (2009).
• Premiered in Jenin Refugee Camp, marking a defining moment in Palestinian contemporary theatre.
• Adapted from George Orwell’s seminal political allegory to reflect Palestinian socio-political realities.
• Audience of 4,500+ across 15 sold-out performances, including local, regional, and international visitors.

 

Genre

Political Allegory / Contemporary Drama / Cultural Resistance Theatre

 

Language

Arabic (primary), with selective use of English and Hebrew in staged references.

 

Synopsis

Animal Farm chronicles a rebellion by the animals of Manor Farm against their human owner. Initially, the animals establish a commune founded on equality and justice. However, as power consolidates, revolutionary ideals are distorted: hierarchies emerge, corruption thrives, and a new tyranny replaces the old.

In Jenin, the production made deliberate parallels with contemporary Palestinian politics, highlighting disillusionment, internal fragmentation, authoritarianism, and the erosion of collective ideals—without naming individuals directly. The final scene, featuring a military figure speaking Hebrew, underscores the universal lesson: oppression may change its language, but its logic often remains.

 

Overview

“Intifada!” the animals scream. Strobe lights flash and heavy metal music blares as they chase Jones from the farm. The animals are ecstatic. They have finally overthrown their oppressor and now they are free! They set the farm up as a commune where all animals are equal; however, disparities soon emerge and the commune’s ideologies are manipulated and twisted by those in positions of power.

With the focal point of George Orwell’s Animal Farm evolving around the corrupting force of power, The Freedom Theatre’s adaptation gives this theme a decidedly Palestinian twist, connecting it closely to internal social and political issues, including authority, inequality, and the struggle for justice.

🎬 Watch the 9-minute, 50-second report on this groundbreaking production here: Animal Farm – The Freedom Theatre Report

 

About the Play

• First full production by The Freedom Theatre School, the only professional theatre training programme in northern Palestine at the time.
• Performed by students aged 18–25 from Jenin Refugee Camp, Jenin City, and Ramallah.
• Served as a platform for training emerging actors, stage managers, technicians, and designers.
• Demonstrated the transformative power of theatre in generating critical reflection, cultural discourse, and social resilience.

 

Why Watch the Play?

• Experience a universal story of power and corruption grounded in the lived political realities of Palestine.
• Witness theatre as a tool for social critique and cultural resistance.
• Engage in a production that bridges local experiences with global political themes, making it relevant for audiences worldwide.

 

Cast & Creative Team

Written by: George Orwell (adapted)

Directed by: Nabeel Al-Raee & Micaela Miranda

Artistic Supervision: Juliano Mer Khamis

Performed by: Faisal Abu Al-Hayjaa, Eyad Hourani, Rami Hweel, Dana Jarrar, Batoul Taleb, Qais Al-Sadi, Rabea Turkman, Haroun Al-Rasheed, Mo’min Swaitat, Ahmed Al-Rokh, Zina Zaarour

Translation and Adaptation: Tamer Salman

Set Design: Linn Reinius, Gunnar Bergsten

Light Design: Jacob Gough

Lighting: Mohammad Al-Sadi

Sound: Moataz Al-Noursi

Stage Manager: Sami Al-Sadi

Decor Assistants: Ahmed Al-Sadi & Sharaf Al-Sadi

Stage Technicians: Ahmed & Mohammed Matahen

 

Director’s Note

“Animal Farm was never merely a stage adaptation; it was a call to reflection. In a society where dialogue is constrained and criticism often silenced, theatre becomes an act of courage, a platform for questioning authority, and a space where imagination and resistance intersect. This production invites audiences to recognize the structures of power around them, to see the consequences of corruption and complacency, and to engage in collective thought about the society we inhabit and the one we aspire to build.”
— Nabeel Al-Raee & Micaela Miranda

 

Origins and Significance

• Inspired by George Orwell’s classic allegory, adapted to the Palestinian context.
• First production by The Freedom Theatre School, establishing a professional artistic pipeline in northern Palestine.
• Served as a foundational statement of the theatre’s mission: freedom of expression, artistic excellence, and cultural resistance.

 

Artistic Vision / Concept

• Collective creation: Students contributed to shaping the political and aesthetic language of the production.
• Political Allegory as Cultural Reflection: Animals symbolize authority figures and social hierarchies.
• Interactive Audience Engagement: Post-show discussions encouraged dialogue on leadership, ethics, and societal responsibility.
• Risk and Resistance: Bold artistic choices challenged local taboos and provoked media attention and community debate.

 

Critical Notes & Community Impact

• Met with standing ovations, critical acclaim, controversy, and threats of intimidation.
• Sparked post-performance discussions among students, artists, intellectuals, and families.
• Established The Freedom Theatre as a regional leader in contemporary Palestinian theatre.

 

Political & Social Context

• Parallels drawn between the play and:
  • Fatah-Hamas conflicts
  • Corruption in the Palestinian Authority
  • Cooperation with Israeli authorities
• Animals (pigs and dogs) represented political figures and security apparatus, challenging audiences to grapple with power, complicity, and morality.

 

Aesthetic Choices

• Minimalist set design to emphasize allegorical and symbolic elements.
• Use of animal costuming and movement to enhance physical storytelling.
• Strategic visual metaphors (portraits, bodyguards) to reflect contemporary power dynamics.

 

Performance History

• 15+ performances
• 4,500+ audience members
• Sold-out shows across Jenin Refugee Camp and surrounding areas.

 

Themes

• Power and corruption
• Resistance and compliance
• Disillusionment and social justice
• Collective vs. individual responsibility
• Cultural resilience and the transformative role of theatre

 

Content Advisory

• Themes of political oppression and violence may be sensitive for younger audiences.
• Recommended for teenagers and adults; suitable for family audiences with guidance.

 

Target Audience

• Palestinian communities locally and in the diaspora
• Arab audiences across the Middle East
• Global audiences interested in political theatre, social justice, and cultural resistance

 

Audience Reviews

• “A bold and unforgettable performance, relevant to Palestine and the world.”
• “A compelling introduction to theatre as social commentary.”
• “The courage and skill of young actors from Jenin is inspiring.”

 

Partners & Support

• The Freedom Theatre
• Local schools, universities, and community organizations
• International visitors and cultural networks
• Supported by British Consulate General Jerusalem
• In collaboration with Medico International

 

Duration

• Approximately 60 minutes (without intermission)

 

Archival & Academic Note

• Referenced in Camilla Ødegården Bakken’s study: “The Freedom Theatre – Cultural Resistance in a Palestinian Refugee Camp”
• Cited in research on Palestinian contemporary performance, cultural resilience, and theatre as political intervention

Download the official brochure for Animal Farm (English version) here: animal farm brochure