THE show they banned finally goes on in Holmfirth this week.

And it means a triumph for the actors and backstage staff who had to wait six months for the chance to show their talents.

Turn Again Theatre will stage a special musical stage adaptation of George Orwell’s dramatic 1945 novel Animal Farm at the civic hall.

It opens tomorrow and runs until Saturday, at 7.30pm – six months after the company were refused permission to stage the show.

Samuel French Ltd, the firm which leases the play, were forced to refuse permission for the group because of a professional run in Leeds which has now finished.

Publicity officer Jack Dunnill said: “The show is really a tribute to the dedication of director Linda Williams.

“After the cancellation blow last October many people would have abandoned the project but she was determined it would go on eventually.

“It has not been easy for the cast – a good blend of experienced actors and youngsters – either to maintain enthusiasm, but now all creatures great and small are completing six months of rehearsals to make sure the show is a memorable one.”

Orwell’s famous play is a satire on Soviet totalitarianism in which the animals, led by Napoleon and his fellow pigs, play the roles of the Bolshevik revolutionaries and overthrow the human owners of the farm.

The talking pigs take over a farm, purportedly for the benefit of all its inhabitants, but end up running it for their own selfish ends.

The pig Napoleon was said to have been based on Stalin and he forced out his rival Snowball, who genuinely works for the good of the farm.

Many commentators have concluded that Snowball was based on Stalin’s rival Leon Trotsky, who was expelled from the Communist Party in 1927.

The show will be performed in the round with a three-piece band providing live backing to the musical numbers.

Terry Baynam, from Oldham, is making his debut with the company as Boxer the horse. Other leading roles will be played by Mark Brockway (Napoleon), Simon Whitaker (Major), Neil Smith (Snowball), Gwen Parr (Clover), Lisa Kendall (Mollie) and Mel Brockway (Muriel).

Tickets £6 and £4 are now available from Holmfirth Information Office, Huddersfield Road. Tel: 222444.