‘They can make you say anything, but can they make you feel it?’
George Orwell’s much-loved novel 1984 has been brought to new heights with this intense and captivating piece of theatre, that lets you not only observe the story but become a part of it as it comes alive on stage.
Performed in the beautiful Hackney Town Hall, this production contained few actors and minimal props.
Instead, the tension building up throughout the story was masterfully conveyed through lighting, sound and clever execution.
Unlike more traditional pieces of theatre, there was little separation of the production from the spectators, with the actors performing on an audience level stage, and the audience often being an active part of the story.
This unique method of execution ensured a fully immersive experience.
During parts of the play, the actors were projected onto the wall, where harsh lighting and skilful videography added a new level of depth and tension to the production.
This artfully combined the tension of seeing it live with the endless possibilities that come with filming.
Upon entrance, each audience member was given a badge with both a candidate number, and the colour of one of the four Party Ministries, and from that moment on you were transformed from being an English civilian watching a production into a citizen of Oceania, chosen to be trailed for a place in your country’s only source of authority - The Party.
As an avid 1984 fan myself, there was something inexplicably enjoyable about seeing people from their teens to their late fifties clip on their badges and pledge their loyalty to Big Brother.
One of my favourite parts of the layout was a glass lift, positioned behind the audience, used to bring characters on and off the stage.
Watching a bruised, bleeding Winston steadily descending towards us, close up through the projection, created a tangible sense of foreboding that was immensely effective.
Audience member Cagri Onur said that "The production was very impressive.
I really liked the way they used the building, and the way the lift and other rooms helped set the scene"
This small but effective way in which the audience could participate compelled each person to become completely hooked into the story.
It also gave the production a level of originality that kept the audience engaged and burned the experience into my memory as something I’ll never forget.
The executive producer of the show, Adam Taub, said that "1984 is coming to an end in Hackney Town Hall this December.
We have had an amazing run in this beautiful art deco building, and we will be sorry to leave.
But we have plans for a new show in the space and we are discussing a transfer to the US for 2026."
From the red party armband each audience is given to the ushers and stage crew dressed in blue party coveralls, this production of 1984 created not only the story, its entire world.
