1984
Big Brother returns — Australian National Tour (2025)
Based on the book by George Orwell.
Set in war-torn Oceania, surveillance is constant, and Thought Police patrol. Winston Smith, an editor at the Ministry of Truth, rewrites history to align with the ruling party’s agenda. Seeking freedom, he engages in a forbidden love affair against Big Brother’s rule. Discovery leads to brutal separation and reintegration attempts. Can human nature withstand the oppressive regime?
PRODUCER
Shake & Stir Theatre Co / QPAC
Season
Cremorne Theatre, QPAC Brisbane (2012)
Australian National Tour (2014)
Australian National Tour (2025)
Creative Team
ADAPTORS — Nelle Lee & Nick Skubij
DIRECTED BY — Michael Futcher
DESIGNER — Josh McIntosh
LIGHTING DESIGN — Jason Glenwright
SOUND DESIGN — Guy Webster
VIDEO DESIGNER — Craig Wilkinson
PRODUCTION PHOTOGRAPHY — Joel Devereux
REVIEWS
“Then there are the TVs – a great wall of black glass, masterfully programmed by media producers optikal bloc to drive the story in innovative, unexpected ways.”
THE COURIER-MAIL
“The fabulous multi-media work from optikal bloc was just as impressive. With the Big Brother image, the blurred war footage and softly lit colour scenes they blended image with reality and created a really powerful piece of theatre.”
ABSOLUTE THEATRE
“But it’s optikal bloc’s visuals that are at the heart of this production… Matched with Guy Webster’s suitably overwhelming sound design and Jason Glenright’s always-clever lighting, optikal bloc evokes a claustrophobic sense of constant surveillance.”
OFFSTREET ARTS
“Media designers optikal bloc (Craig Wilkinson and Stephen Brodie) bring a young, tech savvy aesthetic to the stage.”
AUSSIE THEATRE
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