1984

ROOM 101… BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU… SUPER STATES … THOUGHT POLICE…
The novel which has most influenced the 21st century is brought to the stage in a thrilling new version by Ryan Craig.

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.

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.

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.

Orwell duo ticket offer

Save £5 per ticket when you book for 1984 and Animal Farm (Tue 1 Apr to Sat 5 Apr 2025) in one transaction.
(Valid on tickets in stalls centre and circle centre, subject to availability.)

Presented by Theatre Royal Bath productions.