Written in 1949, Orwell’s story was originally catalogued under science fiction, as it explored a dystopian world of tyrannical control of mind and action. Over the years the tale has slipped from the fantastical to the downright prophetic. Many concepts throughout the book have entered our everyday consciousness from Big Brother, newspeak, to room 101 and 2 +2 = 5. The novel even made an adjective out of the author’s surname: if that doesn’t make Orwell one of the most influential thinkers of our time I’m hard pushed for something better!

The cast of 1984 by Manuel Harlan

With Headlong’s theatre productions cleaning up at the Olivier Awards this month, they are the theatre-makers on everyone’s lips. Their new adaptation of 1984 has been created by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan and co-produced with Nottingham playhouse and the Almeida Theatre.

The Headlong team have incorporated the very issue of how the novel has infiltrated our modern mindset in this new version. They skillfully hold a mirror up to our modern world and expose the vitalness of it to the present days politics – Edward Snowden, Bradley Manning, Wikileaks…. you get the picture? The play explores a world as it collapses under the pressure of big brother’ gaze, skillfully brought to life by the design of Chloe Lamford. Don’t miss it. (Words: Laura Thornley)

Running from 28th April to 19th July. For more info, visit: www.almeida.co.uk/event/1984we

1984 – Trailer from LivEveryPlay on Vimeo.

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