Big Brother is still watching you
George Orwell’s 1984 is perhaps one of the most well recognised pieces of 20th Century fiction in the world. Chris Hannan’s new adaptation of the script is timely, not only because the show is now in the public domain, but because it reflects contemporary anxieties about the world around us. Totalitarianism is on the rise and it is technologically easier than ever before for governments to spy on their citizens. This show is a co-production between the Citizens Theatre, the Dundee Rep and The Royal Lyceum.
Set in the bleak surveillance state of Oceania, under the omnipresent eye of Big Brother the story follows Winston Smith (played by Jack Tarlton) a low level worker at the Ministry of Truth, responsible for redacting historical information. He falls in love with Julia (Jessica Hardwick), a fellow subversive, and the two embark on a doomed romance.
The production leans into the bleak reality of its world. Tom Piper’s design choices emphasise the harshness of Oceania. The actors are all dressed in identical blue jumpsuits, the set design is cold and industrial and the use of retrofuturist elements is conducive to unhooking the show to any particular time. Both Lizzie Powell’s lighting and the score by Nikola Kodjabashia and Phineas de Thornley Head were excellent. The use of a gauze throughout the show was excellent, as it separated audience from action.
The entire company of actors were strong, particular praise must be given to Jessica Hardwick’s fierce and energetic Julia. My favourite moment from the show however came from Zrey Sholapurkar (who also played piano) who played the part of a member of the Thought Police telling citizens to Confess to perfection.
My main criticism of the show is that the script lacked subtlety. Winston continuously told the audience why they should be afraid of the totalitarian regime. This works in a book, but is a problem on stage. It did not always feel as though it trusted its audience. Whilst humour can be a useful tool, the constant sex jokes sometimes felt like they undercut the point of the show.
Additionally, whilst I understand the idea behind contextualising the show by opening with Orwell himself staying in a TB hospital, it would have been good if that had been leant into more or not there at all. At a 2 hour 50 minute runtime (including interval), the show is long and it didn’t necessarily feel as though this depiction of Orwell added much.
Ultimately this is a timely adaptation of a classic piece of literature. As you leave the theatre you certainly get the feeling that Big Brother is watching you.
1984 runs at The Citizens Theatre until the 26th of September before touring to The Dundee Rep and the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh.
Totally disagree about the addition of the Orwell in hospital scenes. It brings the fiction of Orwell’s book into reality as he and the doctor discuss their opposing sides of the Spanish Civil War and lets the audience draw references to today’s war of misinformation.
Overall an excellent performance, in my opinion, and at no point did it feel overly long.