Animal Farm was the first production that Lemonhead Productions ever staged. Based on George Orwell's classic, the producers Bryan Muscat and Louise Muscat asked Adrian Scerri to write the script. The production team started its work during July 2000. After days of auditions the cast was finally chosen. Then all the actors underwent the characterisation meetings with Bryan Muscat, the director, and in October rehearsals started. Thirty-five actors, established and new talent, performed in this classic political fable of the twentieth century.

The story is about a revolution among farm animals, and how idealism was betrayed by power, corruption and lies. Although the downfall of communism in Russia, director Bryan Muscat said "This is an every day situation, where we live in a world full of corruption and lies. You are sometimes easily carried away by your peer's idealism, however, when one finds oneself in power, one feels in control. We still live in a world were MIGHT IS RIGHT, and although there are different levels of corruption & lies, it happens everywhere. The limits of corruption is relative to the amount of power you have."

With this in mind, producers Bryan and Louise think that Animal Farm is a classic that will always be relevant in any society: "We are humans, and humans err. Until humans are imperfect, there'll be more idealists betrayed by their fellow corrupt friends".

‘It is always great to receive such good reviews, both from your audiences and the critics. Especially when one considers it is our debut production. The vast majority of the cast members are lemonheadders, fresh from their first year course as lemonhead students. It is wonderful to know that our group is full of talent’, said director Bryan Muscat. Producer Louise Muscat was extremely satisfied with the outcome, ‘We never anticipated such a turnout. Around 600 packed the 3 nights at the MITP Theatre. The feeling was great for our pet project. Although the theatre itself is in dire conditions, yet it somehow manages to create a great feeling for the actors to work in it.'

Animal Farm was staged at the MITP Theatre in St Christopher Street Valletta, on the 8th, 9th, and 10th of December 2000.

CAST & CREW

Snis - Napoleon
Chrysander Agius - Squealer
Triccas - Old Major
Bryan Muscat - Benjamin
Alan Fenech - Boxer
Gertrude Borg Marks - Clover
Tricia Fabri - Lenny
Louie Debono - Snowball
Stephanie Webster - Muriel
Celine Abela - Jessie
Josianne Mallia - Bluebell
Silvio Galea - Minimus
Kenneth Scicluna - Moses / Renald
Ethel Kawki - Ms. Whymper
Aveline Farrugia - Ms. Pinchfield
Lawrence Buontempo - Randy / Walter
Owen Bonnici - Frederick / Clef
Emma Paula Borg - Maple
Pauline Cordina - Molly
Lyuba Bystrova - Sally
Noel Borg - Darkly
Doreen Zammit - Dimpsy
Alexia Vassallo - Jespy
Kimberly Cioffi - Sossy
Claudine Miceli - Rosy
Alison Camilleri - Joycy
Ryan Micallef - Junior
Doreen Young - Poppy
Monica Micallef - Stout
Alice Decelis - Strudy
Antoinette Cassar - Pegasus
Mario Gatt - Bruce
Roderick Briffa - Rex

Make Up - Joanne Galea
Joe Callus - Stage Manager
Tony Busuttil - Set Design / ASM
Gertrude Borg Marks - Production Secretary
Lights - Louise Muscat
Script - Adrian Scerri
Direction - Bryan Muscat
Production - Louise Muscat / Bryan Muscat