1984
Hudson Theatre
June 25, 2017
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| Photo courtesy of 1984 |
Powerful! Alarming!
Brilliant! The Robert Icke and
Duncan Macmillan adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984 can be described with those three words. Powerful in its structure and use of
technology to engage the senses, stimulate the intellect, and evoke emotion. Alarming it its multiple levels of truth and
relevance. Brilliant in its scope of
vision and precise interpretation.
Sitting
in the theatre waiting for the show to begin, there is sound, a presence, an
electrical presence. The huge speakers
are visible, obviously working. Does
anyone notice the sound? Can they be
listening?
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| Photo courtesy of 1984 |
The
lights come up on Winston Smith (played by Tom Sturridge) writing in a journal
for verification, so the future will know, so he will remember. The year is 1984, or so he thinks. He catches the eye of Julia (played by Olivia
Wilde) who he concludes must be Thought Police. They meet in secret. He trusts her. They decide to join the resistance against
the party and the watchful eye of Big Brother.
Who to trust is never fully known, and the truth is always in question.
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| Photo courtesy of 1984 |
Tom
Sturridge and Olivia Wilde have a strong connection and chemistry. Ms. Wilde implements numerous tactics as her
character assesses the trustworthiness of Winston Smith. Through these actions, the extent of her
character’s intelligence, cunning, and emotional depth is constructed right
before our eyes. Mr. Sturridge is
relentless and unwavering in his character’s belief and understanding of
truth. Reed Birney plays O’Brien, the
man these two characters meet in their quest.
Mr. Birney’s portrayal of O’Brien is commanding and cold. The encounter and subsequent journey of these
characters is gripping, surprising, and unnerving.
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| Reed Birney, Olivia Wilde, & Tom Sturridge Photo courtesy of 1984 |
One
scene stands out in particular. O’Brien
is questioning Winston and Julie to test their loyalty. Winston quickly answers yes to all questions
to verify his level of sacrifice. He
will willingly agree to throw acid in the face of a child and give up his life
for his belief in truth. Is our hero a
terrorist? Suddenly Winston’s unwavering
beliefs become questionable. What is
right? Who is good? From this point on, everything becomes
uncertain.
When
pressed, O’Brien explains to Winston that Big Brother is not a person who
watches, but the paranoid belief implanted by the party to make you feel as if
your own words, actions, and memories are questionable. Big Brother is you. The party can be destroyed by simply not
participating in it. On the train on the
way home from the theatre I saw the poster, “If you see something, say
something.” This campaign ensures our
safety. We see it every day. We believe in it.
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| Photo courtesy of 1984 |
Robert
Icke and Duncan Macmillan have taken George Orwell’s futuristic dystopian warning
even more forward in time in order for it to hit a direct bullseye in the
present. This production makes us
question. George Orwell would be
proud. I want to see it again!
Domenick Danza
1984 is playing at
the newly renovated Hudson Theatre in 44th Street. The renovation is refreshing, spacious and
open. Be sure to check it out!
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