GEORGE Orwell’s unnerving masterpiece 1984, adapted by Mathew Dunster, was performed by Birmingham Ormiston Academy (BOA) students as part of their highly anticipated Literary Dramatic Week and certainly did not disappoint.
Although Orwell wrote the play, published in 1949, based on his vision of life in Communist Russia and it is now, 33 years past its 1984 come to pass date, his vision could be seen as reality in some parts of today’s world.
Director James Lees makes us part of the totalitarian living hell from the moment we enter the theatre – St Trinian’s style schoolgirls creep among the audience listening to conversations whilst on the stage the cast, dressed in boiler suits lay motionless, head to toe like backgammon triangles on a board ready to be played. Once the show starts the action is always seamless and emotionally challenging. The use of projection and live video streaming add another dimension to what is already a multi-faceted and thought-provoking theatrical experience.
The main character Winston, a lowly worker at the Ministry of Truth, is empathetically played by Tom Jauncey, who makes us care about his life as he silently rebels against the all-consuming system by daring to think!
A very clever directorial touch is to have an actor acting out his thoughts or dreams – Jamie Carter aptly plays Winston’s dream double.
In this world, even thinking rebellious thoughts is illegal. Such ‘ thought crime’ is denounced as the worst of all crimes.
Winston illegally purchases a diary in which to write his criminal thoughts. He also becomes fixated on a powerful Party member named O’Brien – a most compelling performance by Elan Butler – Winston believes O’Brien to be a member of a revolutionary group. Winston meets Julia, a delightful performance from Anna Brady – they fall in love and begin a clandestine relationship. Julia has her dream double too, smooth performance here by Natalie Johnson. Our lovers combined dreams is their way of beating the system. They receive an invitation to Winston’s hero O’Brien’s luxury apartment.
O’Brien says that, like them, he hates the Party. He gives Winston an anti big brother book, ‘The manifesto of the Brotherhood’. Winston reads the book to Julia back in their room. Soldiers storm in and capture them in this act of heresy and treason.
O’Brien is revealed as a liar and a monster, torturing and brainwashing Winston, who manages to resist until he is faced with the dreaded Room 101, the final destination for anyone who opposes the party.
Here, lies your worst fear- Winston’s is rats. O’Brien straps a cage full of rats to his head and prepares to allow the rats to eat his face. Winston breaks, pleading with O’Brien to do it to Julia instead. His spirit is broken and his dream double dies. Winston is released, he meets Julia again but their love has been eradicated forever. Winston has accepted the party entirely and has learned to love Big Brother.
The ending couldn’t be more depressing and the thought of fresh night air outside the theatre beckoned. Then as the cast of this powerful production assembled for the curtain call, the engrossed audience returned from silence to reality and the company took a well-deserved standing ovation.
Review by Euan Rose.
