CONCEIVED as an allegorical exploration of the hopes and failures of the Soviet revolution, George Orwell's Animal Farm is all too easily camouflaged against a Cold War backdrop.

Caroline Peachey of The Courtyard Youth Theatre took a closer look; resulting in raised eyebrows when she saw its stage adaptation as suitable for her charges.

Symbolically at least, European Communism collapsed with the Berlin Wall - could a cast largely in its infancy over the momentous events of 1989 relate their own intellectual and emotional experiences to such time-framed material?

Caroline's confidence in the concept is put to the test next Wednesday (November 7) when their interpretation of Animal Farm opens for a four-night run at The Studio.

Stripping the story of Stalinist overtones, she wanted to stage what the young players made of Orwell's essential themes, human apathy, insincerity and hypocrisy - three close companions to 21st century life.

Animal Farm famously creates a classic dystopia. In its yard all animals are equal - but some are 'more equal' than others.

Napoleon the pig leads a rebellion only to pervert the revolutionary cause and assume all the authoritarian characteristics of the overthrown regime.

Where earlier generations saw Red running through this satirical fable, the teenagers saw science; taking the current cloning/DNA debate as a dramatic device is an ambitious alternative application of which Orwell would almost certainly have approved.

Expect also the inclusion of images from September 11. Rehearsals were underway when the Twin Towers' attack occurred.

Caroline always intended to offer audiences an audio-visual experience, but selected sights and sounds had to be of significance to the performers - it was, after all, their 'world' under the metaphorical microscope.

She entered it three years ago, bringing her background in drama teaching and related educational ventures to the junior section of The Courtyard's Youth Theatre scheme, from which so much fledgling talent has already sprung.

To Caroline, though, the classes - 260 children divided into Year groups averaging 20 - are an opportunity for youngsters to explore physical, social and sensory perspectives, free from pressure to perform and associated expectations.

It's as important, she says, to encourage qualified critique and educate audiences for the future as it is to spot and nurture talent.

They start at four and continue to 16. Then, if they wish, there's the option of a 'transfer' to the senior section.

Animal Farm features the 14+ intake, with other groups getting their turn in future shows. And the seven-year-olds are apparently 'very strong' at the moment ...

Bill Tanner

l Animal Farm (George Orwell, adapted by Sir Peter Hall) opens at The Courtyard Studio 7.45pm on Wednesday, November 7 and runs until Saturday, November 10.