George Orwell’s 1984 At Lighthouse Poole Review
DISCLOSURE – TICKETS TO SEE THE SHOW WERE GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER AND GUEST FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW
Reviewed by Mel Sw
Big brother is watching you, the traumatising things that go into Room 101. How often have we heard these things but never realised that they come from a book that was written in 1949. I’ve often been intrigued by George Orwell’s 1984 but I’ve never read it, I think there was always the fear that it could hit too close to home. It is known as “one of the most chillingly prescient novels of the last century.” I was aware of the premise but this play was so amazingly executed, with a great cast and clever technology to create quite a scary adaptation. I would highly recommend it and have already put my order in the buy the book!
The staging was very clever, very simple but effective. We arrived to a huge eye on the screen, it was scanning and searching the audience and gave you a sense of what was coming up. Someone is always watching you (but it was quite fun trying to spot yourself as the camera swung around!) and most importantly there’s nowhere to hide. In a bank of lights on each side of the stage were rogue security cameras which added to the feeling that someone was there.
The play is set in the totalitarian state of Oceania and everyone is being watched. Cameras and TV screens are everywhere, in your lodgings, in work, nowhere is safe unless you know know of some blackspots. A giant eye TV screen broadcasts incoming messages from leaders, and colleagues. The screens used on the stage were so clever, at one point turning clear so we could see through to the set behind, the next minute being full of leaves and used to project different camera angles of the cast.
The play follows Winston (Mark Quartley) who is comrade number 6079 who works for the Ministry of Truth, it is his job to cover up history and create the future to ensure the survival of Big Brother. Afterall, “Those who control the present, control the past and those who control the past control the future.” You really got a feel for the big brother vibe when Winston was talking to work colleagues, only to find that they had disappeared, and had been sent to the Ministry of Love (to be tortured). A wrong thought, a wrong facial expression and you could be taken away
He starts a clandestine love affair with Julia (Eleanor Wyld) which has to be hidden from all. Love and feelings are frowned upon. Mark Quartley’s performance was so believable and he went fully into role. There are some quite traumatic scenes where Winston is being tortured and it was as if the audience believed what was happening, you could hear a pin drop. In a great move by the creators, the screens were used to show Winston being tortured from a Birdseye view, adding to the effect. Mark’s acting skills were amazing, from being fully committed to big brother and seeing his character devolve and step up, to being broken down by the establishment. Keith Allen played the role of O’Brien, a member of the Inner Party of Oceania, he portrayed the character so well and really got stuck in, even to the point of pulling out teeth! I have never seen anything with these actors in before and was so unbelievably impressed. Seeing is believing.
The show is 2 hours 15 minutes including the interval. The first half had a few funny quips, and set the scene, cameras popping up where you didn’t expect, who could be trusted and some very clever staging throughout. During the interval, there was enough time to grab a drink and get to the toilet. The drinks at the bar were reasonably priced. This shouldn’t be a show that you’d go to if you were easily shocked, but there is a scene where there’s full male nudity in the second half. There were signs in the foyer and as you go in to make you aware.
The Lighthouse is a great venue for all types of shows and has different venues available to accommodate. The building always feels a little like a Tardis because I often wonder how it all fits in. Tonight’s show was in the Theatre which is a great size space. We were in the stalls and we had a great view.
George Orwell wrote the book as a warning to the population, to not let the government take complete control. But are we being watched? Are we being controlled? Go watch this play! Who can you trust? Don’t have thoughts… But honestly I would highly recommend it, such a great adaptation.
Rating: 5/5
Tickets for the show started from £25
The show is running from 8th October until 12th October, with two matinees available.
https://www.lighthousepoole.co.uk/event/1984-2/
The full address is Lighthouse, Arts and Entertainment, 21 Kingland Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 1UG