1984 by George Orwell is a play that follows the life of Winston Smith, a low ranking member of the party in London. Orwell has designed the story as dystopia and uses dark themes to emphasis power and the dangers of a totalitarian government. Orwell drew inspiration from governments in Spain and Russia to create 1984 and transported the totalitarian regime to futuristic London under the control of Big Brother and his Inner Party. The motifs of darkness and restriction created an atmosphere of fear that was palpable to all, including the audience. Not knowing what to expect, this was my first visit to the theatre, I was pleased with the high quality of the production. It was engaging, confronting and it affected me for a long time afterward.
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The use of dramatic techniques, especially light and sound, were very shocking and many in the audience jumped at the noise and bright lights. Here the director, Robert Icke and Duncan MacMillan clearly utilised conventions of Theatre of Cruelty, developed by Antonin Artaud, to physiologically manipulate the audience and share the feeling of the horror in the world depicted. The scene changes were incredibly quick and the smooth transitions of actors and properties reflected the quality of the professionals on stage.
In the secluded room rented to them by agent Carrington, Winston and Julia break the law and enjoy an illicit sexual relationship, which would not be illegal in today’s society. The speed of the relationship is confronting as soon as they meet in the secluded forest outside of the city they conjugate. The flashing strobe lights hid and revealed the romantic moment. The audience knew what was happening. Julia's provocative red dress symbolised not only her passion, but linked in colour to the other power images; O Brien’s red tie and the fearful droplets on Winston’s diary in the opening scene. Featuring in every scene the powerful acting of Tom Conroy must be …show more content…
The repeated motif of chocolate as a luxury to be fought over and manipulated with was clear. The corruption of the Inner Party who had access to good food and bread and real coffee reflects the corruption of top government officials around the world. Elegant glasses of wine are the pops of luxury and suggest connection and friendship to the group. Goldstein’s red book of resistance is a critical property also. It is very curious and unconvincing though that Winston did not finish reading it.
The play is a timely reminder of the situation the world finds itself in. How are we in 2017 any more in control of our lives than Winston and Julia? We too are reliant on our phones to make decisions for us and our constant looking at our screens is foretold in the play when O’Brien warns that “people wont change…they won’t look up long enough from their screens.” Here he talks of the ubiquitous tele screens, however we know it also means iPads, iPhones and personal
The use of dramatic techniques, especially light and sound, were very shocking and many in the audience jumped at the noise and bright lights. Here the director, Robert Icke and Duncan MacMillan clearly utilised conventions of Theatre of Cruelty, developed by Antonin Artaud, to physiologically manipulate the audience and share the feeling of the horror in the world depicted. The scene changes were incredibly quick and the smooth transitions of actors and properties reflected the quality of the professionals on stage.
In the secluded room rented to them by agent Carrington, Winston and Julia break the law and enjoy an illicit sexual relationship, which would not be illegal in today’s society. The speed of the relationship is confronting as soon as they meet in the secluded forest outside of the city they conjugate. The flashing strobe lights hid and revealed the romantic moment. The audience knew what was happening. Julia's provocative red dress symbolised not only her passion, but linked in colour to the other power images; O Brien’s red tie and the fearful droplets on Winston’s diary in the opening scene. Featuring in every scene the powerful acting of Tom Conroy must be …show more content…
The repeated motif of chocolate as a luxury to be fought over and manipulated with was clear. The corruption of the Inner Party who had access to good food and bread and real coffee reflects the corruption of top government officials around the world. Elegant glasses of wine are the pops of luxury and suggest connection and friendship to the group. Goldstein’s red book of resistance is a critical property also. It is very curious and unconvincing though that Winston did not finish reading it.
The play is a timely reminder of the situation the world finds itself in. How are we in 2017 any more in control of our lives than Winston and Julia? We too are reliant on our phones to make decisions for us and our constant looking at our screens is foretold in the play when O’Brien warns that “people wont change…they won’t look up long enough from their screens.” Here he talks of the ubiquitous tele screens, however we know it also means iPads, iPhones and personal