ORWELL'S classic Animal Farm enjoys a dark, brutal and mud splattered performance at the Lowry.

Now in its tenth year, Northern Stage gives this mainstay of English literature courses a dramatic twist and a modern feel.

Opening to the strains of Jerusalem by Billy Bragg a group of refugees listen to a reading from the book, slowly turning into pigs, horses and birds.

And from there we are taken through the nightmare story of the farm run by the animals for the animals.

But Orwell's attack on Socialism does not become mired in politics as dance, song and physical theatre are combined to ensure a dramatic pace is kept.

And with stunning lighting effects and a set design that is both imaginative and towering, the audience was firmly rooted to their seats.

Animal Farm is so well known, that the real challenge to a theatre company is to bring a new dynamism to their performance.

Northern Stage have certainly achieved that and proved that this version is definitely more equal that many others.

Animal Farm is at the Lowry until Saturday, tel 0870 787 5780.