The old theatrical adage of never working with animals or children has not deterred the Ember Players from mounting a major spring production of Animal Farm.

Adapted by Sir Peter Hall from the novel by George Orwell, Animal Farm hits the newly-refurbished Walton Playhouse soon.

Director Anne Segall said: “I have a cast of 23 farm-yard animals, but count myself lucky that they’re all being played by humans.

“We’re not using fancy dress or masks, I`m encouraging each member of the cast to study animal behaviour and build real characteristics into their performances."

In the quest for authenticity, the players got up close and personal with their animal counterparts at Godstone Farm on Sunday, March 11.

Neil Armstrong, who plays Boxer, bonded with Fly the horse.

He said: “Movements of a horse’s head transmit different messages and I also picked up a lot from how they stand.”

As Napoleon the pig, Steve Clunn’s role model was Doris the Gloucestershire old spot.

He said: “We couldn’t have done this play without meeting the animals and seeing their world.”

Mrs Segall said: “Just as Orwell had a vision for his novel back in the 40s, I have a vision for this play in 2012.

“There are so many modern parallels. The idea of farm creatures rising up against their oppressors mirrors the Arab spring.

“We’re going to open the play with the animals working in a call centre run by tyrannical humans and suggest the pernicious effects of power, greed and vanity by dressing pigs in city suits.

“If that reminds our audiences of certain city bankers, that’s fine by us.”

Animal Farm; Walton Playhouse; April 19 to 21; 020 8398 6470.