Big Brother is watching you.
1984, a world-famous novel written by the well-known George Orwell, has been re-enacted in theatres all around the UK. This theatrical version is an adaptation by Ryan Craig.
Currently running in Richmond Theatre, 1984 is a thought-provoking experience, with very gripping visual and audible effects that really transports the audience into Orwell’s world of oppression, political manipulation and propaganda.
Written during the late 1940s, 1984 is a projection of Orwell’s beliefs of how the world will evolve to a dystopia under the tyranny and constant surveillance of an extremist single-party rule. With strict rules to abide by and tightly regulated monitoring, whoever is caught slipping up faces death, or worse- inhumane torture.
As you enter the theatre hall, there is an eye-shaped camera display of the audience being surveyed, immersing the audience into an intense feeling of eerie vigilance.
It is in this novel that Orwell introduces the concept of Room 101- a term used commonly today. Room 101 is a place of agonizing torture, where the subject is faced with their ultimate fears. Winston’s childhood fear of rats is appropriately depicted through spine chilling shrieks of rats and clever use of darkness.
In this suppressive society, the ‘Thought Police’ and ‘Thought Crime’ are commonly used terms, illustrating the lack of individual freedom and the constant control and totalitarianism.
Throughout the show, the government cuts down on words to the absolute minimum, replacing adjectives with “plus/double plus” for positive. Words and language are vital for communication, fundamental to civilisation. This deterioration of language symbolises the collapse of civilisation and the world as we know it.
One of Orwell’s main messages is that the weak fragile beings that humans are, are not a strong enough power that can withstand powerful, extremist forces. His ideas are believed to originate from witnessing the sadistic powers that overruled during the world wars that shook the globe in years prior to the writing of this novel.
The impressive cast currently performing in Richmond Theatre consists of Keith Allen (O’Brien), Mark Quartley (Winston), Eleanor Wyld (Julia), and David Birrell (Parsons).
Keith Allen is a seasoned actor with multiple past television credits, appearing in multiple BBC, ITV, Sky and Netflix shows such as ‘Robin Hood,’ ‘Marcella,’ ‘Death in Paradise,’ and many more.
Mark Quartley too appears in Netflix, ITV and Channel 4 shows, such as ‘Criminal,’ ‘Cursed,’ ‘Entitled,’ and others. He is an Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Eleanor Wyld has made many film and television appearances, such as ‘The Critic,’ ‘ Trigonometry,’ and ‘Coronation Street’ just to name a few.
Standing for 125 years, Richmond Theatre itself is spectacularly beautiful, with the ceilings having intricate carvings and designs, some of Shakespeare’s work too.
To conclude the overall experience in the production’s own vocabulary, 1984 is a “double plus” show.
“Long live Big Brother.” (If you know, you know. If you don’t, go get your tickets!!)
