1984 The Northern Stage Ensemble
Show review

Hmm well I know this isn't the usual eyemachine review as it is a play (incidentally, having the title of an 80s year does technically qualify - Ed) but it was so enjoyable I think it counts as it's well worth a see because the performance was excellent.

For any of you unfamiliar with George Orwell's '1984' it's a scary story. It was written back in the 1950's and does have a remarkable window into the future for that period - and is topical with the game show Big Brother just starting its second series.

The story revolves around Winston Smith who works for the Party and his struggle against the monstrous machine that is Big Brother. Nothing is sacred and people are watched 24 hours a day and to add to the paranoia the idea of the Thought Police being almost able to read minds is enough to reduce party members to expressionless robots.

For those with families there is the added fear of being betrayed by their children (something that happens to Winston's own neighbour).

Simple things like freedom of expression or even a pen and paper are forbidden and any links to the past are constantly re-written to reflect the current status of the entity that is Oceania.

This future is grim and more than a little terrifying (especially when seen trough the eyes of this theatre company). The book itself is not just meant for the older reader as it deals with a variety of themes: rebellion, oppression and the secret love he finds with Juliet.

First, let me say what a stunning venue the Gardner Arts Centre is, the seats curve around the stage and there is no interruption from the heads of those in front (it makes me more than a little annoyed that I didn't get to see Yo La Tengo there as part of last years Brighton Festival).

I must admit, I did walk into the theatre a little dubious as to what I might see as when I brought my ticket I was warned against sitting too close too the front - we arrived late and were lead to the back of the theatre for seats that were almost central. Though we were at the back was just a blessing; the actors we clearly and loudly spoken and we were deceptively close to the stage.

The first thing to happen was the video footage intro, looking much like it was shot in Russia. I thought it was quite effective at introducing the theme of Big Brother but did leave me thinking it was a little too much like Enemy of The State. This is where I raise my only complaint - when the intro sequence stopped it was difficult to tune into what the actors were saying; either their microphones were not turned on or the start was too loud.

The production managed to convey the horror of the book exceedingly well yet still show the tenderness of Winston's love affair with Juliet. Surprisingly, for such a graphic adaptation there was no nudity, though perhaps if there was it would have detracted from the horrors that take place in the Ministry of Love once the tryst is discovered.

Almost the entire second half is based on Winston's battle against the Ministry of Love to assert his right that 2 + 2 = 4 and that the past cannot be changed in the minds of others. Winston is told not to hold hope that Paroles (non-party members projected on the screens as elderly people who are malnourished and poor) will raise up to overthrow the party.

All this is told in probably the most graphic and bloody display of violence I have seen on stage - the video screens depict the torture and sheer brutality that Winston endures. Onstage the actor portrays the electric currents cursing through his body convincingly, and you can almost picture the rats scrambling at the cage trying to slash his face.

It's not until the end, when the two lovers meet after betraying their love, do you realise how absorbing their story has been and how much you feel for their characters.

If I were to nitpick it would only be that the focus was entirely on Winston and Juliet and that certain elements of the book were omitted. At the end of the day I don't actually think this matters, as it would have cluttered the translation. I was also a little confused when the audience laughed at Winston's declaration that he had "varicose veins" as this was surely a tender moment between the two lovers and was intended to show the poor condition of their bodies.

This is probably not the best play to see if you suffer from depression or don't much care for watching someone being shot in the head at close range… but then if you have read the book you would know what to expect.

jodi fitzalan

Got something to add or comment on?
Click here to discuss it in the eyemachine reviews forum.