photo: Manuel Harlan
The Conspiracy Season kicks off at the Playhouse this month with a revival of the 2013 production 1984, directed by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan. A faithful and captivating adaptation of the George Orwell novel of the same name, it is the first of four plays in the season which share themes of state control, surveillance, and resistance to totalitarian ideas. This is certainly not theatre for the faint of heart, but instead a compelling rush of drama that is likely to linger in your mind for days and leave you questioning the conditions of society.
1984 seeks to serve as a warning, with no attempt to offer any solace to the audience. In our age of countless screens, Big Brother and increasing corporate control there is much to relate to even over sixty-five years since the book was written. If the recent obsession with apocalypse stories displays a certain thrill in the destruction of mankind, 1984 manages to show the horror of destruction of humanity.
Throughout the performance, in a great example of Orwellian doublethink, the audience are in a duel state of both captivation and repulsion. We are toyed with carefully; lulled, unsettled and disoriented by subtle repetition, obscurity of truth, and a sense of the foreboding. Clinging to main character Winston Smith, (played with fervor by Matthew Spencer) we will him to triumph and share in each moment of anguish he experiences.
The mis-en-scene is a purposefully modest but perfectly jarring when it wants to be. Fierce strobe lighting, occasional plunges into darkness and an ominous soundtrack immerse the audience into an oppressive reality barren of free thought. It is exciting to observe the extra elements that technology brings into the theatre today. The use of a large screen within the set acts as a backdrop for atmospheric shadow play as well as its more obvious use as an overbearing telescreen, and while it is perhaps overused in longer scenes it is a useful tool for a story that has so much to communicate.
1984 is a must-see play, but it would be more accurate to call it an experience rather than something enjoyable. Brought to life by some great performances in a strong adaptation, this is a story that should be retold again and again. Since touring the UK and the west end 1984 is now set to visit America and Australia, extending the reputation of Nottingham Playhouse internationally.
1984 is at the Nottingham Playhouse from Wednesday 9 September to Saturday 26 September 2015. Check out the Pay What You Can performances by visiting their website.
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