***** (5 stars)
“A searingly painful show”
This show has left me speechless, struggling to find words to express the horrors I’ve just witnessed, the bleak, loveless and hopeless society George Orwell described in his novel – and which we can see in so many parts of the world today.
The novel was published in 1949. I read it in my teens, and well remember the quiver of apprehension as 1984 came nearer: would something apolcalyptic, cataclysmic, happen when we passed 31 December 1983?
As it happens, my life did change most surprisingly in 1984 – but I’m glad to say it didn’t end up grim and joyless. I’ve had many uncomfortable and unpleasant experiences on the way, but I can confidently say I’m really happy being Me, Here, Now.
This is not the case for 6079 Smith W. Winston Smith works in the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to reflect the current truth promulgated by The Party under their beloved leader Big Brother. This truth changes from day to day, hour to hour, and even minute to minute, and any evidence to the contrary is destroyed.
Winston secretly rebels against this cult of personality and gradual brain-washing into conformity with the latest political slogans. But he knows that, constantly, incessantly, Big Brother Is Watching through the two-way screens installed everywhere, through hidden microphones, and through the constant surveillance of neighbours and co-workers. Even children are to be feared. They are being brought up to look forward gleefully to witnessing the public hangings of traitors to the state which take place with sickening regularity, and to be spies – prepared even to report their parents to the Thought Police if they believe there is evidence against them.
All aspects of life are strictly controlled. A constant stream of announcements and commands order everyone’s day – news, reminders, activities: even the time and duration of workers’ lunch breaks are regulated with a siren. The daily morning exercise sessions are monitored – the leader of the exercise can see and name, shame and correct you. A constant stream of slogans is broadcast – War is Peace: Freedom is Slavery: Ignorance is Strength. And everything stops for Two Minutes of Hate in which all Patriots must join…
And so the horrors go on – brilliantly portrayed by Noel and Antonia of Box Tale Soup, who are joined this year by Mark. Mark pays Winston Smith, and Noel and Antonia are everyone else, swiftly switching from one character to another while also manipulating the set.
The set is a joy to see. It’s in essence very simple, but lends itself to a multiplicity of arrangements and requires a mesmerisingly complex choreography which must have entailed hours of rehearsal to facilitate the show’s constant, seamless and seemingly effortless transformations. As ever, it’s made from recycled materials, and the design is ingenious. One of my favourite small touches, that comes out of one of their signature on-stage trunks, is the simple but incredibly effective lampshade that denotes one particularly room. The transformation of the set to the stark Room 101 is utterly simple and horrifyingly brilliant.
The words are all Orwell’s – so chilling, and how terrifyingly prescient. Throughout the show I kept thinking of current world leaders who want to control, to dominate, to crush all thoughts of resistance, to prevent anyone from even thinking that there is an alternative way of living, and who cheerfully rewrite history to fit their idea of how things are, were, and should be. Seventy-six years on from the publication of the novel, Orwell’s vision seems on the verge of coming true unless humanity keeps finding ways to resist.
1984 is a searingly painful show that simply mustn’t be missed. Today’s show was just about sold out. Go get your tickets NOW!!!1984, Above at Pleasance courtyard (Venue 33) for more Information go to: https://www.edfringe.com/tickets/whats-on/1984
ScotsGay Arts 