[clipped from the Surveillance Camera Players]
George Orwell's Animal Farm
Adapted by Art Toad
Note: this version was originally designed to be performed next to and around one of the huge cows installed as art objects in locations throughout New York City during the summer of 2000.

The narrator (a person wearing an animal mask) holds up a board that says ACT I.

A farmer holds up a board that says "THIS IS MANOR FARM, ALWAYS HAS BEEN, ALWAYS WILL BE."

A board is held above the cow in a manner that suggests that the board shows what the cow is thinking. The board contains the following verse: "Soon or late, the day is coming/Human reign will be overthrown/And the streets of New York City/Shall be trod by beasts alone." Flipped over, this same board shows a thought bubble surrounding the word "REBELLION."

The narrator holds up a board that says ACT II.

Various animals (people wearing animal masks) enter. One of them holds up a sign that says "LIVE FREE OR DIE!" The animals attack and drive the farmer off. One of the animals holds up a board that says, "THIS IS ANIMAL FARM, NOT THE MANOR FARM."

The narrator holds up a board that says ACT III.

Two pigs unfurl a banner that bears the following commandments:

1. Whatever goes upon two legs in an enemy.

2. Whatever goes upon four legs or has wings is a friend.

3. All animals are equal.

4. No animal shall kill any other animal.

5. No animal shall drink alcohol.

The two pigs put the banner down and get into a debate. One holds up a sign that says "ATTACK OUR ENEMIES"; the other holds up one that says "DEFEND OURSELVES." They go back and forth several times. Then the pig that had been holding the sign that says "DEFEND OURSELVES" puts that sign down, grabs the "ATTACK OUR ENEMIES" sign from the other pig, and holds it up. A couple of the other animals attack and kill the pig who has had his or her sign taken away. The remaining pig raises his or her hands in victory.

The narrator holds up a board that says ACT IV.

The pig holds up a board that says, "THIS IS MANOR FARM, ALWAYS HAS BEEN, ALWAYS WILL BE." Then the pig holds up a board that has the following commandment written on it: "ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL, BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS."

Several "real" people, some of them wearing masks that appear to be the faces of famous politicians (Bill Clinton, etc.), enter and share a drink with the animals.

The narrator holds up a board that says THE END.