With JAMU Students about Animal Farm: Orwell Performed by The K-Arts Ensemble
Animal Farm is a timeless piece that allegorically captures the harsh reality of communism and totalitarian regimes. Even though the adaptation by the Korea National University of Arts of the play seemed cute and almost comical at first glance, we must not forget the true nature of this classic. That is exactly why, together with several students of the Janáček Academy of Performing Arts, we discussed how this topic affects us today.
Barbora Marková, 20 years, the Czech Republic, JAMU student – Dramatic Acting
1. Which country were you imagining during the performance? Which state did The Animal Farm remind you of?
Considering the fact that the actors are Korean, I was thinking mostly about Korea and about the irony. Obviously, Russia came to mind, and also the USA, because recently, that place is pretty twisted.
2. Which character did you relate to the most because they acted similarly to how you would act?
Probably Snowball. I sincerely wish for justice and a fair world, which is very hard to attain. The character was sharing his thoughts, and he was doing the right thing, he had positive visions. Sadly, even positive visionsdon’t always work in the real world, even if the idea is sincerely good. We also learn this from our history.
3. Do you think the characters in the play can be labelled as either ‘Bad’ or ‘Good’?
It is never just black and white. I would say that each character was viewing their reality in their own way. And whether one wants to or not, we people are pretty selfish. All of the animals acted mainly for their owngood. Looking back, we could easily say whether their behaviour was good or bad, but everything has more than one perspective.
Magdalena Brajdič, 20 years, the Czech Republic, JAMU student – Physical Theatre
1. Which country were you imagining during the performance? Which state did the Animal Farm remind you of?
Since we are watching a South Korean show, I connected it to their country. I would love to have a discussion with the actors about how current this topic is for them and about the feeling of freedom in their homecountry. To be fair, I was connecting the characters with politicians from my country as well. Everyone knows the story of Animal Farm, but the question is how many of us really understand that we are a part of it. It felt very present. Sadly, this (Editor’s note: We are talking about a leader or an authority) is happening everywhere in some way. Not only in a specific country, but in different social groups.
2. Which character did you relate to the most because they acted similarly to how you would act?
I related the most to Mollie. When she decided to leave the farm, I was not sure if I would also leave, stay with the other animals and help them, or try to revolt against Napoleon. However, I agree that I would not wantto live in such an environment and I would try to find a way to leave. From the start, I agreed a lot with Snowball’s points. He proved that he was very erudite but sadly was not able to convince the others, right from thebeginning. I agreed with his opinions the most and with Mollie’s actions the most. So personally, I would try to find a happy medium between those two.
3. Do you think the characters in the play can be labelled as either ‘Bad’ or ‘Good’?
If we tried to divide the characters like that, the whole play would get very simplified. It would take away the whole point and depth of the characters. Let’s look at Boxer, who might be giving the vibe of a sheep that isnot thinking for itself. From my point of view, he is a really nice guy, trying to help the farm, not really understanding that he is helping the system. We could easily say that Napoleon was a villain, who did not learnfrom his mistakes. But the rest of the characters were so complex that it would just take away from them if we were to divide them into bad or good.
Anna Nádeníčková, 20 years, the Czech Republic, JAMU student – Physical theatre
1. Which country were you imagining during the performance? Which state did the Animal Farm remind you of?
Obviously, South Korea, since it is a South Korean play. I’m curious about how they are dealing with the politics of their country and how the whole rehearsal of the play went. I believe that a lot of the situations are inspired by their family life and the social situation in their home country… And that is the reason why the play is so powerful, but it makes sense for them to pick this topic.
2. Which character did you relate to the most because they acted similarly to how you would act?
I would say Snowball. He was brave enough to try to change the system, he spoke up and stood up for himself, but the others just didn’t help him. He was a very important character to me.
3.Do you think the characters in the play can be labelled as either ‘Bad’ or ‘Good’?
No, this story shows us that the reality is not black and white. Everyone does the best they can for their own good. This story does not have a hero or villain, but rather focuses on the individual decisions of thecharacters. A kind, hard-working person can turn into someone who is accepting the system that is not good for either that person or their loved ones. That person isn’t evil, just scared to speak up. And that is whatmakes the story so powerful.
Sofie Synáková, 21 years, the Czech Republic, JAMU student – Theatre Dramaturgy and Directing
1. Which country were you imagining during the performance? Which state did the Animal Farm remind you of?
Certainly, the Soviet Union, given the analogy, and actually also Russia, currently, so I would direct my attention to the east. I'm thinking of North Korea, Belarus, or China.
2. Which character did you relate to the most because they acted similarly to how you would act?
Most of the characters made an impression on me in certain moments. I would not be able to stay in such a system, so I understand Mollie and why she escaped. At the same time, CoCo had her motherly, pacifistapproach, which is very relatable to me, because in my opinion, most things can be communicated and violence can be prevented. Boxer was an easily manipulated good guy, I felt really sorry for him, because he depicted the majority in similar states. I didn't sympathize with Napoleon at all.
3.Do you think the characters in the play can be labelled as either ‘Bad’ or ‘Good’?
I think that nothing can be sorted into ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
Klára Škvarová, 21 years, the Czech Republic, JAMU student – Theatre Management
1. Which country were you imagining during the performance? Which state did the Animal Farm remind you of?
The first country that came to my mind was probably North Korea, despite the ensemble being from South Korea.
2. Which character did you relate to the most because they acted similarly to how you would act?
Mollie. I am exactly like her. I would also run off to other people rather than live on such a farm in her situation.
3. Do you think the characters in the play can be labelled as either ‘Bad’ or ‘Good’?
No. I think that the intention of the whole performance was to make people not come to a definite conclusion as to whether a character is ‘good’ or ‘bad’.
Author: Justýna Jirsová a Alena Růžičková
Foto: Jasmína Georgievová