A Northern Broadsides/The Dukes, Lancaster production in association with Stroud Theatre Company
1984
Big Brother is Watching You
16 September – 9 October 2010
review by Alan Chard
Production photographs : Press Release : Review
1984
Big Brother is watching you
16 September - 9 October 2010
I first read 1984 in my university days and found it an eye-opener, it alerted me to the manipulation of the public by government and induced a healthy cynicism that has stayed with me ever since. It was with delight that I read of this production that could bring Orwell's story to a wider audience.
1984 is not an easy story to adapt, much of its impact comes from the visualisation that takes place when we read, that individual hell that we can so easily construct as we read about and imagine Winston Smith's dilemmas, the precautions he and Julia take about their meetings and their devastation when they realise that they have been set up, monitored and recorded in every move.
On entering The Dukes I was immediately struck by the black and white images of myself on a large TV screen facing me - the thought that went through my head instantly was not that these images were being taken, but that I was able to see them rather than some faceless voyeur in a control room.
This production is true to the story, the first half setting the scene. The second half deals mainly with the breaking and rehabilitation of Winston, his torture and brainwashing, the electrocution sequence is very well acted and frighteningly realistic - although few of us have direct experience on either side of the torture chamber.
This production uses specially produced stop-motion animation shown one large screen at the back of the set and several smaller screens around the set, it allows some novel presentations to take place, such as rats chasing Winston Smith, and although this is not entirely true to the original it does have a great dramatic effect.
The impression that I retained was of a theatrical production rather than the frightening realisation of what has become of our society that I got from the book, even so this is a highly significant production that everyone should see. Don't expect to laugh or come away feeling good, but go along expecting your assumptions about society to be challenged and afterwards look for the parallels between the Orwellian nightmare and our daily lives. Come away and think about how our lives have changed in recent years, the 'political correctness' that is now required in our interactions with others and the 'thought crimes' that we all commit on a daily basis. Remember that each and every one of us is photographed over 300 times a day, every telephone call's origin and destination is monitored, every text message is carefully filed away along with internet usage and that police CCTV cameras record details of car journeys that decode registration numbers. Ask yourself why the population allows the government to do these things without challenge and you'll see we're well on the way to Orwell's nightmare.
If you don't get chance to see 1984 at The Dukes then you may like to know that this production goes on tour afterwards, details below.
Alan Chard, October 2010
TOUR DATES
12-16 Oct – Viaduct Theatre, Halifax
Box Office 01422 255 266 www.deanclough.com
19-23 Oct – Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond
Box Office 01748 825252 www.georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk
26-30 Oct - The Rose Theatre, Kingston
Box Office 08712301552 www.rosetheatrekingston.org
9- 13 Nov: Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds
Box Office 01284 769505 www.theatreroyal.org
18-20 Nov: Buxton Opera House
Box office 08451272190 www.buxtonoperahouse.org.uk
23-27 Nov: Tobacco Factory Theatre, Bristol
Box Office 0117 9020344 www.tobaccofactorytheatre.com
Adpated by: Nick Lane
Director: Conrad Nelson
Designer: Sue Condle
Lighting: Brent Lees
Audio/visual by: David Phillips
Animation: Rob Pointon & Karen Sayle