Big Brother watches Headlong’s tour in Nottingham

Published: 7 September 2013
Reporter: Steve Orme

Mark Arends as Winston Smith
Tim Dutton who plays O’Brien
Hara Yannas as Julia in 1984

Headlong’s tour of George Orwell’s 1984, “the definitive book of the 20th century”, will start at Nottingham Playhouse.

This new major production “explores the world inside Winston Smith's head, as well as the world without, and catches the euphoria and bliss buried deep underneath the cold face of Big Brother.”

Headlong adds that its version “explores why Orwell's gaze is as applicable to the here and now as it ever was”.

Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan have adapted Orwell’s work. Icke, who directed Romeo and Juliet at Nottingham Playhouse in 2012, is again at the helm.

The cast comprises Mark Arends (Winston Smith); Tim Dutton (O’Brien); Stephen Fewell (Charrington); Christopher Patrick Nolan (Martin); Matthew Spencer (Syme); Gavin Spokes (Parsons); Mandi Symonds (Mrs Parsons);and Hara Yannas (Julia).

Designer is Chloe Lamford; lighting designer Natasha Chivers; sound designer Tom Gibbons; and video designer Tim Reid.

1984 runs at Nottingham Playhouse from Friday (13 September) until Saturday 28 September.

*Some links, including Amazon, Stageplays.com, Bookshop.org, ATG Tickets, LOVEtheatre, BTG Tickets, Ticketmaster, The Ticket Factory, LW Theatres and QuayTickets, are affiliate links for which BTG may earn a small fee at no extra cost to the purchaser.

Are you sure?