SINCE 1993, Animal Farm has been synonymous with Newcastle’s Northern Stage with the famous Alan Lyddiard ensemble production running for 12 years. So, it takes bravery to revive George Orwell’s famous farmyard novel within the same company 23 years on.

Teessider Maria Crocker, who is steadily finding her feet as a performer/director, laughs at the idea of getting her hands dirty with the muddy pigsty-inspired Animal Farm, which played a real part in the 1990s version.

“We’re performing in lots of different venues, including schools, so we are having to be quite creative in how we stage the production. There isn’t any mud, but there is a drum kit and guitars and it’s noisy. So, it’s more noise pollution than anything,” jokes the assistant director to the experienced Mark Calvert. Crocker has come through the ranks of North, the independent company associated with Northern Stage which is blooding new talent.

“The story is as relevant now as when it was written, so we are trying to tell the story in a new and exciting way and we are developing the company’s style as well as creating a piece of theatre,” she says.

Having appeared on both sides of the footlights which task is easier?

“Oh gosh, neither of them is easy, that is for sure. They are both very different and I really enjoy wearing both hats. It makes you look at things a different way and you spend a lot of time looking at the bigger picture rather than concentrating on your own character or personal journey when you’re a player in the play.

“I never think I could go out on stage and do it better because I’m looking at the project in a totally different way. As a director, it’s about supporting the actors and being able to be the outside eye and develop the talent and the brilliant things that the actors are doing in rehearsal. I never get that sense when I’m directing, ‘I wish I was acting in it?’”

At Christmas, Crocker appeared in Northern Stage’s main Christmas show, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, and other acting work includes a tour of The Seagull and Merry Wives of Windsor at Shakespeare’s Globe.

I put her on the spot about selecting acting or directing in future. “I wouldn’t choose either. I think both influence each other and I tend to be able to go from one to the other and its brilliant because I develop in both areas and just want to make theatre, because that’s what I’ve always wanted to do. Working on both sides of the curtain excites me equally and I’ve been really lucky since I became a member of North in 2013 and got offered amazing opportunities. As long as I’m doing something I’m happy,” says Crocker.

She began her training in London with Alra (Wandsworth’s Academy of Live and Recorded Arts) for five years and returned to the region thanks to an offer of work with North. “Since then, I’ve not stopped working in the region and there are loads of different ways to be involved in the profession in the North-East. I think it’s something that’s growing and growing. There’s been more schemes and venues like Alphabetti Theatre opening and more fringe shows. If you dive in and are up for doing things then the opportunities are there. I’m from Guisborough and I didn’t really know about any opportunities in the region when I was at school. I think Teesside has been an area of low engagement in the arts and Annabel Turpin as been doing wonderful things at the Arc in Stockton. I think it’s making people outside the region say, ‘Oh, Stockton sounds really exciting. Let’s make some theatre there’. It’s not really something you’d expect people to say. For me, as someone from the area, it’s really fantastic. I’m thrilled that this is happening,” says Crocker.

The North performer also teaches with the newly-established Pauline Quirke Academy in Stockton.

“The school’s policy is that they want teachers who are active in the industry which is brilliant because I’m allowed time off to do the actual work and then come back to teach students. It’s something I’m passionate about and I feel it’s really important because there isn’t that many opportunities on Teesside,” says Crocker, who has managed to appear on-stage at the Arc and has also been offered reading work for scratch nights, when new work is showcased.

After the March 3 to 5 run at Northern Stage, Animal Farm will tour for three weeks including Alnwick Playhouse, Teesside University and Crocker’s old college, Prior Pursglove, plus Durham and Tyneside.

The next acting task for Crocker is Putting The Band Back Together which is for Newcastle’s Unfolding Theatre company in the summer and touring in the autumn.

“I’ll be playing instruments and doing lots of singing with music from Ross Millard of The Futureheads. I’m really looking forward to this. When I was 17 and 18 I went to all The Futureheads gigs and I was a bit of a fan-girl,” she says.

“Since I came back to the North-East people have been offering me jobs. So, I’m not complaining.”

The Animal Farm cast is: Craig Fairbairn, Mille Harris, Dale Jewitt, Katherine Pierce and William Wyn Davies.

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