Friday 12 September 2014

1984- The Lyric, Plymouth Theatre Royal

 
WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH
 
I read this book years and years ago, and I had absolutely no idea how they would adapt it for the stage. I could not have anticipated just how fantastic it turned out to be.

Firstly, the acting was fantastic. It drew me in, and I could feel myself beginning to nod in agreement with the rebellion, much in the same was as the cast were being led along by Big Brother. The precision of the movements, the timing and the genuine commitment to each scene resulted in an electrifying (if you will excuse my poor choice of words) performance.
The staging and lighting were some of the best and most dramatic I have ever seen. One scene, in which the couple are dragged out of their supposed private place by the Thought Police, was as if they had reached inside my brain and displayed the scene I imagined. It was absolutely perfect. The sounds, the lighting, the stipping bare of the stage and the brutality. Gripping stuff.

I thoroughly enjoyed the use of technology and unusual staging in this performance. Projectors, LED's, torches, and extreme, blinding white were all used to great effect.

I would highly recommend this performance to both those who have read the book, and those who have not. It is a credit to George Orwell, all of the actors and production staff.




Images above not my own.

9.5/10

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