1984: Now or Never?

Fun Fact: Remember when White House press secretary Sean Spicer lied about the inauguration of the 45th President having the largest turnout ever... and then Kellyanne Conway told "Meet the Press" not to be so dramatic they were merely sharing "alternative facts". As a result, George Orwell's classic novel 1984 has seen a massive spike in sales around the world, also known as a Trump Bump. It appears, Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan have landed their Adaptation right on time.

Target Audience: This is a difficult show to sit through, it is dark and ominous and it would be easier to see a happy musical. But easy never changed the world.

Best Bit: Wilde and Sturridge have an aggressive, highly charged make-out session which emphasizes even love and tenderness can be forgotten, and it is something we need to nurture and value. Our ability to be soft and vulnerable is our greatest strength and love should have no boundaries.

Morning After Effect: Intrigued by the similarities between Shakespeare's ill-fated lovers Romeo and Juliet, and Orwell's Winston and Julia. Status, money and power stand between both of these passionate rebellious lovers but at least Romeo and Juliet took their love with them to the grave whereas in Orwell's world not even love can conquer the Party, which leaves you with a rather depressing notion.

Verdict: This narrative was horrifying in 1949 when it was first published, and it is equally as disturbing, if not more so, today.

Olivia Wilde makes her Broadway debut as Julia from George Orwell's adaptation of 1984 and lands with a bang, literally! During the previews Wilde broke her tailbone and has suffered other injuries such as a split lip and a fractured rib. Leading man Tom Sturridge plays the famed character Winston Smith who refuses to conform to the party in power and thus gets rather banged up. So far, Sturridge has suffered a broken nose and with the show scheduled to run through to October 8th I wonder how on earth both leads are going to make it to the end in one piece? It is no surprise that as their bones are being broken as so too is the glass ceiling of Broadway as this controversial production calls to point a major political commentary in this fragile time of propaganda and paranoia.

George Orwell's dystopian novel depicts months of torture undergone by protagonist Winston Smith as a result of resisting the Totalitarian regime which is led by a sinister figure known as Big Brother. Orwell's novel has seen various muted adaptations since creation yet Directors and Adaptors Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan have opted to emphasize the graphic violent details in their Broadway version. Throughout the play there are jarring effects with lighting and sound, designed to make you feel on edge in this unpredictable and bleak world. These effects coupled with the actors commitment deliver grotesque and visceral torture scenes that push the limits.

Lighting designer, Natasha Chivers will set you into a near epileptic fit with the harsh strobe lights coupled with Tom Gibbon's hard-hitting sound design that may burst an eardrum with the sound of jack hammers and alarm sirens. This production is loud and cannot be ignored. During these moments of discomfort when it feels too much, you remember the sweet usher reminding you that once the production begins you cannot leave your seat which adds an extra dash of anxiety and a feeling of entrapment.

Scenic and Costume Designer Chloe Lamford had no easy task at hand creating a set that warps and moves into several locations in an era that could be decades ago or today. Lamford has done an excellent job and replicates the unsettling feeling generated by this narrative. Actors appear during the blackouts and we can't quite work out where or how, the layout feels odd and off kilter and seems to justify the move from an office space, to a canteen, a train and back again. A secret room is revealed, which exists off stage and is seen by the audience from giant screens that encroach the space, the secret room is filmed on go-pro like cameras and is the only place where color and texture exist - Lamford and Tim Reid (Video Designer) have blatantly kept us isolated from this room. However, we are thrust into the Big Brother torture chamber, The Ministry of Truth, with close up camera angles and bright lights. The set acts as a stark white petri dish with its service members in all white chemical suits and black gas masks. At times this dystopian world feels totally unreal and within an instant it is a reflection of today, an eerily accurate portrayal.

As Sturridge yells out to the audience pleading for refuge and help he is met by the eyes of flabbergasted audience members disturbed by what they see, sadly most of us do nothing and let him suffer. There has been a lot of media hype about audience members fainting, vomiting and yelling out to the actors to stop! This production begs the question, how far will you let it go, what will it take for us to discover our voices and will they even be heard? As Sturridge is tortured and broken down, the set is ripped apart violently piece by piece. Leaving nothing but a black empty space, and your own void of emotions.

Reed Birney (O'Brien) orchestrates the torture scenes and acts as the messenger for the Party. He has an amazing ability to be menacing and comforting at the same time and his brilliant performance keeps you idling between sheer hatred and intrigue. While you ought to lash out and dislike him you find yourself questioning why Winston doesn't just listen and give in. As those terrifying thoughts jump into your mind, the loud alarm sirens pull you back into reality and you have to relive those feelings over and over again. Birney manages to keep you in the palm of his hand throughout the play! Birney has received great acclaim throughout his career on the stage and screen which a true testament to his admirable talent.

1984 is bold, immersive and gut-wrenching! This production does not merely touch on the questions of politics and power - it projectile vomits them into your face. "War is peace, Freedom is slavery, Ignorance is strength" a famous line from the novel which explains how the Party believed engaging in an endless war would maintain peace in the country. Icke and Macmillan have revealed a monster, a monster we need to face or perhaps Winston Smith is right in accusing us of being complicit.

Reviewed by Nicola Quinn

Hudson Theatre, New York City
July 19th 2017
Find me on Twitter: @newyorktheatre

View our show pages for more information about 1984, Hudson Theatre.