Adapting a book to stage can always be a trying thing; the perspective may have to be changed, from first person to third, and some events described in the book may be incredibly hard to portray onstage without encountering some practical difficulties. ‘1984’ - written by George Orwell and adapted by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan, has certainly over come these difficulties. Onstage until the 5th of September 2015, the play is certainly worth a watch. Despite a slightly confusing start, overall, it seems to be a well thought out revisiting of the classic 20th century novella, detailing the life of Winston Smith, Comrade 6079, from the point he starts a diary, to the point… well, I won’t spoil it for you.
This world which 1984 is set is one of authoritarian government - where Big Brother and The Inner Party rule with an iron fist. Every day is the same- the telescreens report a victory, and the chocolate rations go up to 20 grams. Winston Smith, confused as to why nobody says anything, buys a diary (well, officially a keepsake), and begins to write. He starts with the date - except, he can’t remember what date it is - so, settles on writing ‘1984?’, hence the title of the play, and the book. We know now, that this future did not come to pass. But, when writing the novel, Orwell did not choose that date as a specific point, but merely switch around the two final digits of the year the novel was written, 1948. The novel does not represent Orwell’s view of 1984, but instead, his view of the future. That is, arguably, what makes the original book, and any variations of it, so unique. The text is about a future, which always could be, though seemingly set in the past.
One of the most notable things about the adaptation of ‘1984’ would have to be the staging. It begins with an office-like room, well furnished, a table in the middle and a bookshelf on the left wall. The back wall of the room is, of course, open, the front of the stage. This almost cosy setting, contrasting with the eerie overtones of the play, is kept for the majority of the production. The top panels of a screen can also be seen bordering the would be roof of the roof, allowing the audience occasional closer glimpses onstage through hidden cameras. Ultimately, this demonstrates how Big Brother is always watching - giving the audience the slightly chilling notion that in this situation, they are, in fact, Big Brother.
Despite the very beginning, and very end, of the production being a little confusing, overall, the play is certainly well done. Not only the script adaptation itself, but also the directing, acting, staging, lighting- every aspect was well thought out, and executed perfectly. The infectious fear jumped from the stage into the audience, each person leaving the theatre a little dazed from what they had just watched. Being able to carry the overarching feeling of unease to settle in the audience is a mark of just how well this piece has been done. Congratulations to Icke and MacMillan for an amazing production.
Image: http://www.elproductions.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/1984-280x280.jpg
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