Green Room Award winning theatre company Bloomshed are set to bring their sharp political bite to Arts Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax Studio from 12 August 2026 to 22 August 2026, staging an epic rework of George Orwell’s Animal Farm that promises as much confetti as commentary.
Known for electrifying adaptations like Pride & Prejudice and Paradise Lost, Bloomshed mix big ideas with high energy performance. Their Animal Farm is described as a satirical, high octane ride packed with dance breaks, physical comedy and a generous splash of chaos. With the current political climate ripe for skewering, this bolshy take aims to leave audiences laughing, wincing and possibly ready to storm the barricades.
The story begins as it always does. Farmer Jones has lost control and the animals of Manor Farm rise up to seize the means of production. In Bloomshed’s version, the action shifts to rural Australia, where the animals have reneged on a government contract and the complexities of our own political system start to surface. Enter Napoleon, a pig with ambition to burn and no issue cracking a few eggs along the way.
“Drawing on this classic Orwellian tale about the failures of the Russian Revolution, we’ve asked ourselves how themes of greed, corruption and ambition could map onto Australian history,” said Creative Director James Jackson.
“What happens when you combine Orwell with Australian larrikinism? When the epic history of Europe gets played out on a small farm in outback Australia?” he asked.
Since forming in 2012, Bloomshed have built a reputation for politically charged theatre that blends High Art with cheap thrills. Animal Farm looks set to continue that tradition, delivering a sharp, funny and uncomfortably familiar night at the theatre.
For more information visit artscentremelbourne.com.au
