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Eleanor Wyld as Julia and Mark Quartley as Winston. Picture: Simon Annand 1984 Malvern Theatres ***** “War is peace. Freedom is slavery.
Ignorance is strength.” This terrifying and thought provoking adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984 by Ryan Craig, unleashes Big Brother to the stage at Malvern Theatres this week in an unnerving dystopian fictional representation of the future, which is all too relevant now than it has ever been. Shocking to think that this novel was written 75
years ago representing pre-internet observations but crucial in today’s
society conveying lessons about the negative consequences of allowing a
government to exercise total control. The sinister atmosphere builds before the play
even begins as the All Seeing Eye films the audience members
making their way to their seats, some wave when they see themselves on
the screen and shout out like at a football match, whereas others felt
uncomfortable and unnerved at being displayed on such a huge screen. Winston Smith, Mark Quartley, is employed at the Ministry of Truth and responsibilities include rewriting past records to align with Party’s current opinions, changing the narrative to fit the crime. Winston can’t control his gnawing illegal
thoughts and exposes his emotions with a colleague Julia, Eleanor Wyld,
a member of the Junior Anti-Sex League, who ignites his passion for
rebellion with love and contraband.
Keith Allen as the sinister O'Brien O’Brien, Keith Allen, works undercover for the Thought Police and slowly gains the trust of the lovers before betraying their confidence and torturing Winston within an inch of his life. Brutal to watch but even worse to hear when a stint in Room 101 falls to complete darkness with just the vivid description of a torture contraption filled with rats battering the senses and increasing the stress levels. Finally the naked truth prevails and the violent
torture destroys Winston’s spirit allowing him to be completely
recommitted back to Big Brother, a shadow of his former self. Mark Quartley, as Winston, captured the very
essence of the character along with co-star Eleanor Wyld igniting the
affair but most unnerving was a serenely calm and disturbing performance
by Keith Allen, who’s menacing rages and controlled aggression made for
an uneasy watch. Doublethink means the
power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one’s mind simultaneously,
and accepting both of them, as the relevance of 1984 hits home at
Malvern Theatres this week until Saturday October 5th. Tickets are
available from the box office on 01684 892277 or online at
www.malvern-theatres.co.uk Emma Trimble 01-10-24 |
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