The novel which has most influenced the 21st century is brought to the stage in a thrilling new version by Ryan Craig, starring Keith Allen as O'Brien.
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The novel which has most influenced the 21st century is brought to the stage in a thrilling new version by Ryan Craig, starring Keith Allen as O'Brien.
On 4th April 1984, Winston Smith, comrade 6079, starts a diary. In a world where every action is painstakingly monitored and controlled, this simple act puts Winston’s life in jeopardy. A clandestine love affair with co-worker Julia further enrages the authorities, but can they truly trust each other? And what of the mysterious O’Brien? Will he help them overthrow the regime, confront them with their most terrifying fears, or worse…?
Shocking and fantastical when first written in 1949, Orwell’s novel has remained one of the most chillingly prescient novels of the last century.
Ryan Craig’s recent work includes Charlotte and Theodore. Nominated as Most Promising Playwright at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards in 2005, he has gone on to win acclaim for The Holy Rosenbergs and Our Class at the National Theatre, The Glass Room and Filthy Business at Hampstead Theatre.
Director Lindsay Posner is one of the UK’s most sought-after directors whose most recent credits include West End runs of Noises Off and A View From The Bridge.
Versatile actor, comedian and musician Keith Allen plays O'Brien. On television, his many credits include the series Marcella; Bodies; My Mad Fat Diary; Roger Roger; The Body Farm; Making Out; Robin Hood, playing the Sheriff of Nottingham; and the 2021 mini-series The Pembrokeshire Murders. His film credits include The Others, Gaslight, Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Eddie The Eagle, 24 Hour Party People and Shallow Grave. His theatre credits also include The Homecoming, Pinter 3: Landscape/A Kind of Alaska in the West End; David Hare’s Murmuring Judges at the National Theatre, and The Celebration and The Room directed by Harold Pinter at the Almeida Theatre and in New York.
Content Warnings: Act 1 contains an image of hanged men displayed on screen for several minutes. Act 2 contains lengthy scenes depicting both physical and mental torture. Nudity (male) from about 20 mins into Act 2 for around 6 mins, full blackout follows this and lasts for around 5 mins.