TNT Theatre Britain presents:

1984

written by George Orwell

directed by Paul Stebbings
musical Score by Christian Auer

1984 may well be the most significant work of modern fiction. The company brings this work to the stage without seeking to simplify its message or dilute its power.

The brilliance of 1984 is not only that it predicts a surveillance society in which we now exist, or that it exposes the lies behind every totalitarian ideology or belief, but that it explores these themes inside the human mind as well as in the outer world.

“Thought Control” is the aim of the State in 1984, and this will be achieved by destroying language so that it is impossible to commit “Thought Crime” ?

Is Orwell’s vision any different from the dumbing down of our communication through digital media, the collapse of writing and the triumph of the digital banal ?

Orwell predicts a world where Ideology vanishes under the crushing impact of brute power, power for its own corrupt sake. Meanwhile, as Orwell predicted, War becomes a continuous condition of life, one that justifies any and every form of repression in the name of nothing.

Against this pessimistic background stands the simple heroism and physical desire of the main chracters: Winston and Julia. Their journey through quiet rebellion to hope and despair happens in the outside world and within their minds. Our production follows their external and internal journey until they meet in the torture chambers of Room 101.

Paul Stebbings directs a thriller and a love story, a mind game and an end game. Illuminated by a modern rock score from Christian Auer this production aims to tell what may be the greatest story of our time as we stumble towards an”Orwellian” future where Big Brother is watching YOU.

Expected duration: 1:45 h. including an interval

Video trailer from the production

Photos from the production:

The cast:

Avena Mansergh-Wallace
Avena is an Irish Actress based in London. She trained at Drama Centre London and the London school of Dramatic Art. Theatre includes: THE ONLY WHITE, DON’T DESTROY ME, PERSON OF INTEREST, WHO IS THEO, LOVESICK, THE ILLUSION, WHEN THE TERROR IS ENDED THE VICTIMS WILL DANCE and THE RECRUITING OFFICER. Film and TV includes: NEW BLOOD (BBC), SPOOR, COLORBLIND, NIGHT SURF, SORRY SIGNS. Voiceover work includes: HARPER COLLINS, WF HOWES, THE RNIB, DK AUDIO / RED APPLE CREATIVE, AUDIBLE, THE GUARDIAN, THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF IRELAND, BORD NA MONA, SSE AIRTRICITY. She is so excited to be working for TNT / ADGE and thrilled to be a part of the ensemble in her first touring production of Europe. @Avena_Mansergh_Wallace

Ellen Victoria
Ellen is a Swedish-Argentinian actress based in London. She studied Drama at the University of Exeter, where she participated in mainly musical theatre productions including the musical RENT, where she played the role of Mimi. Ellen has also performed in a 2-week run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the musical GODSPELL. Ellen is an advocate for projects that represent Latin American stories and performed in a night at The Roundhouse in London, celebrating the work of Latin American playwrights. She has recently performed in the play PLAGUE PALACE at Theatre503 in London, as well as completed filming for the lead role in the short film HALTER. She has worked with ADGE/TNT before, touring Europe with THE WAVE at the start of this year. Ellen is thrilled to be on tour with 1984 and is looking forward to sharing its message around Europe.

Bruno Roubicek
Bruno toured Europe, the UK and Asia with three ADGE productions in the late nineties. He is delighted to be working with the company again after a 23-year break. In that time he toured internationally with the British performance company, Forced Entertainment, (International Ibsen Award 2016) in several shows including BLOODY MESS, FIRST NIGHT, THE WORLD IN PICTURES, THE VOICES , QUIZZOOLA and THE LAST ADVENTURES. He then collaborated with companies in Austria, Netherlands, Belgium and France, including the Comédie de Reims and most recently appearing throughout France in HELAS (Dir. Nicole Genovese). Bruno maintained his own practice throughout this time and completed a practical PhD in 2017 researching the ecological and social impacts of performances of digging of wildlife ponds.

Jack Herlihy
After years of working as a doctor in the NHS, Jack finally retrained at The Royal Central School of Speech & Drama with a specialism in Shakespeare. He is now a London-based actor, musician and director having performed across the UK and Europe. He is a former member of the National Youth Theatre and has devised shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. His most recent stage credits include THE WAVE (ADGE/TNT Theatre), HAMLET (Embassy Theatre), THE HISTORY BOYS (Oxford Playhouse) and THE PRODUCERS (Oxford Playhouse). He is currently in post-production for his directorial debut, TOMORROW, a physical adaptation of Macbeth. Jack is excited to tour with ADGE/TNT once again bringing one of literature’s most poignant stories to life.

Tom Vercnocke
Born and raised in Belgium, Tom moved to the UK to study at the Guildford School of Acting in BA (Hons) Actor Musician. Tom's theatre credits include Robert in THE WAVE (TNT Theatre/ADG Europe), BUDDY HOLLY AND THE CRICKETERS (UK Tour), Joshua Dunn in NO HORIZON (Right Hand Theatre) and Harry in Noel Coward’s ME AND THE GIRLS (Evergreen Theatrical Productions). Film credits include Damon in THIS IS THE NIGHT MAIL. Tom has also worked professionally as a drummer/percussionist, notable credits include the BBC FIRST NIGHT OF THE PROMS in 2018.