1984 by George Orwell adapted by Ian Craig. Richmond Theatre,The Green, Richmond, Surrey until 17November,

4☆☆☆☆. Review: William Russell.

“Orwell's future still chills the blood.”

It is some time since I read the book and almost as long since I saw the television version starring Peter Cushing as Winston Smith so, while Ian Craig has had to make adjustments to George Orwell's story I am in no position to pass any jdugement on them. That there are changes I know, but the result directed by Lindsay Posner still chills the blood with its picture of life in a totalitarian state presided over by Big Brother. Given the world today and what is being promised for next year by Donald Trump it is arguably even more relevant than in 1975. Keith Allen as O'Brien, Big Brother's chief interrogato,r delivers a performance that does frighten, his mask of affability concealing the brute beneath, with disastrous results for Smith, the official in the Ministry of Truth who has dared rebel. The weakness is that the love story between Smith, played by Mark Quartley, and Julia, played by Eleanor Wyld never quite takes fire – and it matters that it should. But Quartley certainly suffers for his art. The second act consists almost entirely of his being stripped naked, abused, strapped in a dentist's chair and given ever more powerful electric shocks while O'Brien gets him to agree the number of fingers he is holding up.

The production gimmick is that we see Big Brother's all seeing camera eye and the close ups of Quartley are relentless. The cast in fact is small in number on stage, many of the roles having been recorded on video and we see them on screen but using the eye to scan the audience as it takes its seats is possibly a gimmick too far. As for the famous moment when Smith is confronted with rats – he has a phobia about them – that takes place in complete darkness and is all the more horrifying for being invisible.

Much of what Orwell forecast has come to pass in spite of the likes of Room 101 being associated with a television celebrity show presided over by a comedian now and not a place of fear and death. Plenty to talk about afterwards even if one may not actually enjoy the show.

Cast

Keith Allen – O'Brien.

Mark Quartkey – Winston Smith,

Eleanor Wyld – Julia.

David Buirrell – Parsons.

Lewis Hart, Paul Sockett, Niamh Bennett – Ensemble.

Janie Dee – Woman.

Nicholas Woodison – Big Brother.

Creatives

Director – Lindsay Posner.

Set,Costume & Video Designer – Justin Nardella.

Lighting Designer – Paul Pyant.

Sound Designer & Composer – Giles Thomas.