Macabre play gurgles with menace

Ashley Heath adapted this novel and it is a masterpiece of words in its own right.

I told Ashley I had to leave slightly earlier than the finishing time of 10.30pm.

Leave – nothing could have dragged me out of my seat until the final words were shot – so to speak.

It was quiet simply the most gripping performance I’ve seen on an amateur stage. Brilliantly put together with an amazing array of truly wonderful technical details. If the truth be known, I actually hated it – the concept and story line that is. You could have heard a pin drop throughout the performance, the audience at times reluctant to clap in case they too were carried off to Room 101.

We saw some stunning performances – without words or with. The menace was there burbling and gurgling to a final act that was horrid, macabre, cruel and stunningly breathtakingly portrayed by the actors. This play was extremely well cast, especially Richard Large in the lead role.

He was truly convincing as the emaciated Winston Smith. His body language and facial expression all added to the illusion.

If I could have, I would have run to my car, just inc case I was confronted the managing, superb David Howell as O’Brien, and his silent henchman, Martin, played by Lance Hodges. It’s never easy to say nothing and still win me over.

The beautifully spoken Tanya Barker played her part to perfection.

As a director, I wouldn’t have touched this classic with a very long barge pole. OTTC can deliver. I was stunned. 1984 runs until tonight.

Ros Hollands
Swindon Evening Advertiser

1984, George Orwell's terrifying vision of a totalitarian superstate, is at the Swindon Arts Centre this month. Oliver Dearden went along to watch...

When I left the Swindon Arts centre last night I was miserable, but that I guess is the point of 1984. Orwell clearly didn't have a romantic comedy in mind when he sat down to pen this chilling vision of the future.

I've only read the book once, and before the performance I was wondering how such a complex story would translate to the stage. Well I'm pleased to say that it did so rather well. The performance was slightly spoiled by the venue. Whoever built the banks of seats in the arts centre clearly didn't have full grown humans in mind when they designed them. My knees were pressed against the seat in front for the entire performance. As Winston Smith was being brutally tortured I felt his pain……I feel it still.

On to the individual performances themselves. My favourite performance was from David Howell who played the evil O'Brien, the witch finder general, torturer in chief and ideological zealot of the party. Complete with a goatee beard and a voice that reminded me of my art teacher (a truly evil man) I believed him and loathed him. If Mr Howell is anything like that in real life he should never be allowed to breed.

Tanya Barker was solid as Julia. She played the catalyst and inspiration for Winston Smith’s rebellion. I didn't think it was possible to make a boilersuit look attractive , but some how she did. Richard Large was competent but not compelling as the lead.

Winston Smith. His performance was believable, but he didn't come across as the failing hero that I imagined when I read the book.

This production of 1984 was bold and made good use of a relatively simple set. The set changes themselves were numerous and noisy which was slightly off putting at times. Casting that aside the omnipresent telescreen was cleverly done, although a few technical hitches got me thinking, “who would have repaired these things?” The use of live rats in room 101 was great, but when you think about it no one’s going to be scared by a stuffed one.

Ultimately I liked this production, as the central message of the story gets through. I didn't leave the theatre scratching my head. The dramatisation was true to the original text and the political critiques and warnings laid down by Orwell came out in the performance. The play runs until Saturday 9th October and if you can stand the pain of the seats, it’s worth a look.

Oliver Dearden
BBC Wiltshire Online