ANIMAL FARM

I cannot believe that I have lived in Los Angeles for over half my life, and have never been to Theatricum Botanicum before! I had heard of it, of course, but I thought of it as some mythical place, (sort-of like Brigadoon,) that didn’t really exist. Just as Brigadoon appeared once every hundred years, Theatricum Botanicum is spoken of only in the summer.

I’ve never known much about the place, except that it’s an outdoor theatre which features the plays of Shakespeare each summer. And I can’t make believe as so many others do—I am not a fan of Shakespeare. I recognize his brilliance, of course, but life’s too short for me to see any more of his work, unless it’s in dance form. Or an ice skating version of his plays. Or Hugh Jackman’s appearing in it. Otherwise, with apologies to my academic parents, count me out.

So, when I heard that the Theatricum Botanicum repertory shows this season include a few modern(ish) plays, I figured it was time to finally check the place out.

And I loved it–the environment and experience, not necessarily the play itself, (Animal Farm,) which I’ll get to in a bit. First I must sing the praises of the bucolic premises. As my friend Judith so rightly pointed-out that night, I was “obviously enchanted” by the venue.

I felt like I was out of town, seeing summer stock, as I did all over the east coast when I was growing-up. I love that feeling!

I also adored that there’s a big picnic area, and many patrons were enjoying using it for just that purpose. One quartet even brought a tablecloth!!! How’s that for dedication to a lovely evening?!

And even though the location is smack dab in the middle of Topanga Canyon, it’s easy enough to access from either side of the beach-to-valley road. Parking is a breeze, as well. And, as Mr. X once wrote to our hosts at a party in that area, I say to the powers-that-be at Theatricum Botanicum, “Thanks for the time warp!”

So, right before I get to the show we saw, here’s my advice for your visit there: 1) Do not wear your finest attire! Nobody’s looking, and it will for sure get dirty. 2) Do not wear heels, or even any open-toes shoes, unless you’re a fan of twisted ankles or pebbles between your toes! 3) No matter how hot it is out, bring jackets and blankets. And maybe even hats and scarves! It does get that chilly. (And I’m rarely cold!) 4) Unless you’re rocking JLo’s butt, bring a cushion! I was sitting in one of only eight actual chairs, (as opposed to the risers,) and I was uncomfortable the whole time. And in pain the following day! 5) Do bring a picnic! 6) And reserve some time to explore the interesting grounds a bit. The whole area is a hoot!!!

Now to the show.

I thought that I had not read Animal Farm, but once the show began, it all came rushing back to me. With horror! I was not a fan of the horrible story when I was younger, and guess what? I’m still not! Especially with Orange Hitler threatening to ruin our country, this tale hit too close to home for me. I’m upset about the world on a daily basis; I’d rather see shows that take me away from all that.

But that’s just my taste—it has nothing to do with this particular production.

But this stage adaptation, of George Orwell’s allegorical novella, by Sir Peter Hall (which he did in 1984—an appropriate year to work on an Orwell novel!,) made me hark back to one of my first high school acting performances, that scarred me for life. Our first assignment was an obligatory Acting 101 “object exercise,” for which I received the highest mark the teacher had ever given! (I have a feeling that had more to do with my micro-mini skirt and cute underwear than my actual acting skills!) Flying high off that success, we moved on to two-person scenes. My friend Bette and I chose to adapt a “scene” from The World of Henry Orient, which was not a play, but a novel. (And even a well-received old film!) And, as adorable and funny as we were, the teacher failed us because…it was not from a play!!!

Yet, Peter Hall adapts a famous novella into a play, and the world applauds! I guess Bette and I were just way ahead of our time! And got punished for it. By The Man! (Which Animal Farm is somewhat about.)

While the story of a dystopia, (an imaginary world which is far worse than our own,) is far from my cup of tea, I totally appreciate what a major undertaking this is. I believe that Theatricum Botanicum did the same show there fifteen years ago, but I have a feeling that most, if not all, of the personnel must be different now.

With the theatre being outside, built right into the countryside, the production is very visually interesting. It takes full advantage of the natural surroundings and levels, which I loved. I enjoyed that the second act had a whole different feel to it because it was dark out when we returned to our seats.

But to see the classic George Orwell story as a musical, of sorts, is somewhat weird. The music and songs are pretty weak, which is the fault of the original Peter Hall adaptation, not this Theatricum Botanicum company. I loved the somewhat quirky musicians, and got used to the music and singing after a while. But why they would not choose a cast with any great voices for a musical, I cannot fathom. That was a bit disappointing. (The story should not be a musical to begin with, but since it is, give us some great singers, please.)

Another head-scratcher is that the story takes place in England, yet none of the actors use accents. I don’t get that, either.

And while I appreciate what they are going for with all the different animal physicalities the actors use, I was distracted by my concern that they’re all going to suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome down the line from bending their wrists the whole time!  I got it myself from holding my hands like they do, while I type.  (Mr. X pointed-out that I type like a ballerina, with my wrists always on top and my fingers gracefully pointing downward. Not a smart move on my part.) Let me tell you–it’s not a fun malady to have. And the surgery to correct it is a bitch (to put it in animal terms, as a tribute to the show.)  Thank goodness this play is in rep with four others this summer, so the affected actors don’t have to keep their wrists in that position four-to-eight times a week!

While we’re on possible physical ailments–those actors’ poor knees! And backs! The chiropractors of Topanga Canyon must be licking their chops over this production!

But I absolutely adored the “dogs.” They look more like wolves and are really menacing. The combo of their costumes and the movement of the actors in them actually scared me several times! Big props to them!

Last “physical” note: I’m so glad that Max Lawrence, who plays Boxer, the horse, was the most naked one there—he has a great body, and I was in the front row! He gave me more to admire than just the great outdoors.

I was also a fan of the work of Rodrick Jean-Charles, who plays Benjamin, the donkey. He doesn’t have much to say, but his subtle expressions show us the quiet concern the other animals are beginning to have regarding the porcine take-over.

The story on-stage is narrated by two children, which really helps–I would have totally been lost in the beginning without them. Sierra Rose Friday and Shane McDermott do an excellent job of it, too. They don’t do that affected elementary school thing of “reading with expression.”

Speaking of kids, I would not bring them to this disturbing show. But if you’d like them to see theatre in this beautiful atmosphere, no worries—they have their own shows at Theatricum Botanicum. (Just check the website below.)

I have to quickly ponder a couple of questions I had during the show: The animals in the show post different Commandments over the course of the action. One reads, “Animals shall never kill animals.” So, all those animals are vegetarians?! And another said, “Animals shall never sleep in beds.” So, have they never met dogs?! Just wondering.

Orwell wrote Animal Farm as a cautionary tale for our future, via the historical event of the Russian revolution of 1917, but, very sadly, it’s fast becoming our present. He must have had nightmare visions of insane Trump. How prescient of him!

I really do thank Theatricum Botanicum for bringing us this classic story, which should make everyone who sees it think about the situation in the world today. For people like me, who, as Judith put it, “want to delve,” I encourage you to research the topic, especially the 1954 animated film, where just one actor, Maurice Denham, provides all the animal voices!!! It has a different ending than the book and this play, but it’s the conclusion I like best. [Note: I watched the film when I finished writing this review, and though far from an upper, the animation is absolutely fascinating.]

As the theatre’s website tells us, “As the story unfolds, we become aware and wary of the all too familiar rhetoric of political and social forces in its disturbing reflection of our world today.” Exactly.

Animal Farm running through October 1st, 2017
Theatricum Botanicum 1419 N Topanga Canyon Blvd. 310-455-2322 www.theatricum.com