REVIEW: 1984 and Animal Farm - A George Orwell Double Bill at Golden Goose Theatre 9 - 20 July 2024

'This is edge of the seat stuff' ★★★★ ½

This is a chance to see two of George Orwell’s most iconic novels, brilliantly adapted for the stage, at one sitting (or book each show separately).  Running at a total of 2 hours 40 mins (with a 20 mins interval), it’s a real theatrical treat. 1984 is being premiered with Animal Farm which has already been on tour to Europe and been awarded ‘best adaptation’ (London Pub Theatre Awards 2023). 

1984

It is superbly directed by Paul Stebbings who also adapted the novel with co-writer Phil Smith. This is edge of the seat stuff, and somehow manages to feel upbeat. The through line of the story is undoubtedly the love story between Winston and Julia, it feels like a monument to the human capacity for love. There is perhaps a question here about whether love is about sex and hormones or something far deeper.

The show opens with the scenes of torture, and as the audience hasn’t yet grown to love any of the characters, there is no fellow feeling or empathy.  Those of us who know the novel really well are waiting for Winston to do what he knows his tormentors want, to tell them to “do it to Julia” instead.   It doesn’t happen, instead the story jumps backwards in time to their first sighting of each other. 

Their love story then unfolds beautifully with all the peripheral characters coming into their lives showing the challenges they face.  Their seniority in this post-apocalyptic surveillance society, doesn’t bring them any comforts. Those in the proletariat landscape are better off, with some loveliness to look at, including those artefacts from a bygone age in Mr Charrington’s shop, such as creamy good quality paper, a diary for writing secrets.  The diary that Winston purchases, seeming to be the only luxury and joy in his life, alongside his escapism with Julia.   Committing thought crime writing ‘down with Big Brother’ in the diary  and renting the room above Mrs Charrington’s shop for his love affair with Julia. The pair are duped, believing that they are part of a resistance, but they are shopped to the authorities.   

We’re back in the torture room and the expected response comes from Winston. Ultimately, we see that there is no resistance possible, and this is the bleak ending to the show.

The world that Orwell imagines in 1984, contains such phrases as ‘doublethink’ and ‘hate speech’. Winston’s job at Oceania’s Ministry of Trust, is records editor. The kind of work that he is expected to do is to dress up bad news as good news. The chocolate rations were at 30 percent and will now be 25 percent. This terrifies Winston’s colleague as he doesn’t know how to present this in a positive light.  Well, today’s advertisers could help Winston’s colleague with this. They are on a seven-year cycle.  Sell a candy at a set price, which over the years gets smaller and smaller, then back to the original size, at a much higher price (on special offer for a short time) and off you go again. 

Actor Jack Herlihy, as Winston, delivers his lines with cynicism tinged with disgust and bitterness.  He comes across as intelligent and being internally opposed to the system, even though he is too afraid to openly object. He continues the work of the ministry, without having any belief in the regime’s ideals. Others rather chillingly embrace the system. There is wonderful acting from the team showing the gamut of human nature from those who play the system to those who suffer the consequences of resisting.   The cast should also be commended on their singing voices, and the songs, or perhaps more correctly, anthems, were a welcome addition giving light relief and entertainment (music and sound score by Christian Auer).

The set appears to be recycled from the structural set used in Animal Farm.   It adapts well to the Big Brother screens which are a feature of this dystopian society. There is no escape from being observed. Another little touch in the play, right at the start an actor is using his opposable thumbs hammering away on a mobile phone which neatly reminds us of privacy issues. 

We’ve often said that elements of 1984 are uncomfortably close to our reality today.   The story brings home the importance of freedom of speech, but Paul Stebbings has also highlighted many other things that we value, such as the freedom to love and the freedom to enjoy beautiful things.

 Read our review of Animal Farm here

1984 and Animal Farm - A George Orwell Double Bill at

Golden Goose Theatre, Camberwell SE5

9 - 20 July 2024

Box Office https://www.goldengoosetheatre.co.uk/whatson/animal-farm-and-1984---a-george-orwell-double-bill

1984 Cast

Jack Herlihy - Winston Smith

Ellen Victoria - Julia

Bruno Roubicek - O'Brien

Tom Vercnocke - Parsons/Charrington

Avena Mansergh-Wallace - Mavis/Prostitute/Washerwoman

1984 Creative Team

Paul Stebbings - Director

Paul Stebbings and Phil Smith - Writers

Christian Auer - Music and Sound Score