Ross Balbuziente and Nelle Lee. Image by Dylan Evans.
Brisbane-based, contemporary theatre-makers shake & stir co and QPAC return with their 2012 sold out show, 1984. Following a 31 venue tour, the show now runs at QPAC until 2 August and with many dates already selling out, it looks as though this time round will be another hit.
Adapted by the company from George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984 follows the character of Winston and his gradual political consciousness in the face of the totalitarian regime of The Party. For Winston, life is an isolated existence where every movement is scrutinised for signs of ‘thought crime’ and where love, beauty and compassion have been replaced with scheduled rituals of hate and an invasive sense of fear and paranoia. Technology also allows for an unprecedented level of surveillance, with telescreens opening up every facet of existence to the ever watchful eyes of Big Brother and the thought police. Winston, struggling to accept The Party’s manipulation, writes secretly in his diary and when he meets fellow comrade, Julia, they embark on an illicit love affair. As Winston’s rebellion grows, Big Brother draws nearer, until he finds himself in the dreaded Room 101 and faced with a terrible choice.
Orwell’s text from 1949 has clearly drawn analogies with our media-saturated present and there is little need to modernise or adapt the text for contemporary audiences. In particular the continual relevance of themes of media influence, surveillance and the omnipotent presence of screens has far reaching implications in contemporary society. An early reference to ‘watching refugees drown’ pulls this performance even closer to home and asks the audience to consider some important questions about Australia, and how a society might find themselves in a dystopian present. As the performance travels towards its chilling climax, it is clear that 1984 remains a vital and relevant text; a warning about a future that may still occur.
At 100 minutes without an interval, this performance feels surprisingly watchable. Director Michael Futcher has highlighted the important themes without making it so heavy that it becomes unbearable and Bryan Probets’ outstanding performance of Winston is difficult to tear your eyes away from. The piece stays true to the original text and the adaptation is highly accessible for young people, making it an excellent choice for students of literature and theatre alike. While there are no surprises here it remains engaging nonetheless and offers audiences an enjoyable yet provoking experience.
The wall of TV screens, from designer Josh McIntosh and with digital content produced by Optikal Bloc, covers the back of the stage and offers the audience an uncomfortable reminder about the issue of scrutiny and an omnipotent authority. These provide an interesting use of modern technology that extends the theatrical experience, creating rooms that are beyond the capacity of the stage. The screens also enhance the distorted vision of the world by featuring The Party’s constant stream of propaganda and hate-filled media. However the most interesting use of these is to reveal Winston’s internal mind, giving us access to his secret thoughts and his evolving sense of disquiet. Actor Bryan Probets’ almost skull-like image projects from the screens and creates a disturbing image of Winston’s psyche, bringing a captivating aesthetic to the stage and a clever method of drawing audiences further into the narrative.
Shake & stir co have created a particularly accessible version of this classic text and with a use of digital technologies that will appeal to young people.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
1984
Adaptors: Nelle Lee and Nick Skubij
Director: Michael Futcher
Designer: Josh McIntosh
Lighting designer: Jason Glenwright
Sound designer/Composer: Guy Webster
Media Producers: optikal bloc
Dramaturg: Michael Futcher
Stage Manager: Daniel Sinclair
AV Technician: Stephen Brodie
Lighting Technician: Scott Chiverton
Cast: Ross Balbuziente, Nelle Lee, Bryan Probets, Nick Skubij, David Whitney,Alexander Butt, Veronica Neave, Naomi Price, Matthew Walsh & Walt Webster-Curran.
Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, South Bank
www.qpac.com.au
15 July – 2 August
