In D.C.’s theatrical community, there’s Synetic Theater and then there’s the other companies. Synetic’s uniquely modern take on the performing arts never fails to leave audiences breathless with excitement.
Its latest offering, a stage adaptation of George Orwell’s 1945 fantasy/allegory about Soviet Russia, “Animal Farm,” is one that holds a particular significance for director Paata Tsikurishvili. He and his wife, Irina (the show’s choreographer), emigrated from the former Soviet Republic of Georgia, and, as Tsikurishuili puts it in his program notes, “experienced firsthand both the tragicomic absurdity and the ravages of Communism as reflected in Orwell’s novel.”
The result is Synetic’s most audacious work since its modern-day “Faust,” taking Tsikurishvili’s multi-media approach to new heights, with extensive use of video footage, in addition to its usual blend of music, dance and visual imagery. (The black-and-white videos are a combination of styles mixing documentary-type montages with the exaggerated slapstick of the Mack Sennett silent comedies.)
The protagonists of the story are the animals that work for Manor Farm, under the oppressive yolk of sadistic farmer Jones (Irakli Kavsadze). Sick of being starved and abused, they rise up in revolt and drive Jones from the farm. They then set up a utopian self-government based on a set of rules that ensures that “all animals are equals.”
The new order seems to work fine until one of the pigs, Napoleon (Dave Bobb), decides that someone has to supervise things, and nominates himself and his fellow pigs, Snowball (Peter Stray) and Squealer (Andrew Zox). When idealist Snowball clashes with hard-liner Napoleon, he too is run off the farm.
With no one left to question his authority, Napoleon becomes a supreme dictator whose cruelty toward his fellow animals makes their lives much more miserable than they were under Jones’ domination.
The emphasis on pantomime and dancing is even stronger and more integral in “Animal Farm” than in previous Synetic presentations, with the actors giving wonderfully convincing performances as hens, horses and dogs, among other animals. The use of music is also more prominent, utilizing several traditional Russianfolk songs.
Once again, Synetic has crafted a production that dwarfs every other show in town. To paraphrase the old movie publicity line, if you go to only one play this year, “Animal Farm” is the one to see.
‘Animal Farm’
» Synetic Theater’s production runs through May 20
» Venue: Rosslyn Spectrum, 1611 N. Kent St., Arlington
» Performances: 8 p.m. Fridays through Sundays; 3 p.m. Sundays
» Tickets: $10 to $35
» More info: 703-824-8060 or www.synetictheater.org
