State Theatre Company South Australia's outstanding adaptation of George Orwell's Animal Farm opens to a full house in Wodonga

Power-hungry pig, Napoleon is the leader of the pack, flanked by nine, loyal attack dogs.

Squealer is second in command to Napoleon and a type of Minister for Propaganda.

Snowball is a smart, passionate and eloquent pig.

South Australian-based actor Dale March is all of them.

In fact, he is more than a dozen other characters in an insightful adaptation of George Orwell's Animal Farm, now playing (aptly) at the Butter Factory Theatre in Wodonga.

Without so much as a costume or set change, March expertly breathes life into myriad characters that inhabit Manor Farm and post-revolution, Animal Farm.

The minimal set, catwalk-like raised stage and contained lighting treatment keep the focus squarely on March.

For 84 minutes, March delivers with conviction on revolutionary pigs, the tyrannical, drunkard Mr Jones and the sentimental audience favourite, Boxer.

The shift between characters is signalled only by a change in voice, posture or body gestures.

The different hand contortions between horse and pig is as simple as it is effective.

As the animals are worn down by the new reign of terror on Animal Farm, the audience feels it beyond doubt through their reticent dialogue and shifting body language.

Boxer's fate raises the stakes on an already chilling cautionary tale.

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State Theatre Company South Australia's outstanding adaptation of Animal Farm opened to a full house in Wodonga on Tuesday night.

Under the direction of Geordie Brookman, Animal Farm is his last work in the role of artistic director.

March, who has known Brookman since he was a boy, quips he has been well prepared for the show by his daughters, aged 3 and 5.

"Every day I am asked to be a different animal by my daughters!"

Written in the 1940s, Animal Farm was a response to the rise of authoritarian governments throughout the world.

The South Australian adaptation for stage is a worthy highlight of the HotHouse Theatre season 2019.

Animal Farm runs at the Butter Factory Theatre on Thursday and Friday with two shows on Saturday.

Bookings via hothousetheatre.com.au or phone (02) 6021 7433.