Play: 1984

Jun 30th, 2015

The Company of 1984 Image Manuel Harlan

1984 by George Orwell - Adapted by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan

At the Playhouse London, before national and international tour

1984 tells the story of a dystopia, where citizens' every move and thought is watched and controlled, overseen by Big Brother, the ominous and omnipresent leader of the Party that controls the state.

The bold production is unsettling from the outset, the tension continuing for its 101 minutes. Striking visual and sound effects, where blinding flashes of light combine with a cacophany of sounds from shrieking sirens to pulses of deep vibrations, thrill yet disorientate.

Winston Smith (Matthew Spencer) works in the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites history, including deleting records of people who have been "unpersoned" - writing their stories out of existence.

The constant surveillance by the Party that runs the state is accepted, even endorsed. "After all, there's a war on," as Ministry of Truth worker Parsons (Gavin Spokes) justifies it, while proudly describing his precocious young daughter's spying abilities.

Yet even outspoken loyalty may not mean you're safe. Syme (Ben Porter) is articulate and consistent in his praise of state-sanctioned language Newspeak yet is "unpersonned" - perhaps for being a little too articulate?

Uncomfortable with state control, Winston meets Julia (Janine Harouni) and they become lovers, united over their hatred of the Party. Tensions heighten as Winston Smith and Julia begin their resistance.

Senior Ministry of Truth worker O'Brien (Tim Dutton) presents himself to Winston and Julia as a secret enemy of the state, inviting them to pledge their loyalty. However, O'Brien is an agent of the Thought Police, whose role is to find "thought criminals" - people whose thoughts are deemed unacceptable by the Party, then arrest and "cure" them.

Winston is arrested and harrowing torture scenes follow, carried out by two lines of silent, white-coated torture workers, under O'Brien's chilling, honeyed-toned orders, against a background of drilling, bright flashes of light and plunges into sudden darkness.

Some knowledge of the book is required; for example, early on in the play, a group of people discuss the book while Winston listens to one side, which could be confusing for those unfamiliar with the story.

This unapologetic play provides food for thought. The feeling of unease is constant, continuing as audience members themselves are turned into spies, as Winston and Julia, cosy and rebellious in their hideaway, are publicly projected onto a giant screen. Are you passively colluding with the ever-watchful state?
This production of book written in 1949 is a reminder that we need to remain vigilant. After all, what if there's a war on?

Dates include:

Until 5 September - Playhouse Theatre, London. www.playhousetheatrelondon.com/1984-play/

9-26 September 2015 - Nottingham Playhouse, UK

29 September - 3 October 2015 - Bath Theatre Royal, UK

16-25 October 2015 - Playhouse - Arts Centre Melbourne, Australia, www.melbournefestival.com.au

January-February 2016 - The Broad Stage, Santa Monica CA, USA

February 2016 - American Repertory Theatre, Boston MA, USA

March-April 2016 - Shakespeare Theatre, Washington DC, USA