Synopsis
This authorized stage adaptation is true to the novel in which Orwell depicts with great power the horrors of man’s fate in a society where Big Brother is always watching—where everything that is not prohibited is compulsory. As your cast presents the play, you will be participating in a theatrical event that is both powerful and disturbingly provocative. Orwell himself once said, “I do not believe that the kind of society I describe necessarily will arrive, but I believe that something resembling it could arrive. The moral to be drawn from the dangerous nightmare situation is a simple one: Don’t let it happen. It depends on you.”
Notes
No livestream rights are available for this title.
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Details
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Status
In stock
- Type of Show Full-length Play
- Product Code N15000
- Cast Size 8
- Min. Royalty Rate $110/perf
- Cost $11.95
- Approx. Run Time 95 min
Categories
- Target Audience Middle School | High School | College and Adult | Senior Adults
- Performing Group Middle School | High School | College Theatre | Community Theatre | Dinner Theatre
- Genre Drama
- ISBN(13) 9780871295422
Customer Reviews
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"We chose this show because I though we could incorporate masks into the story and it would make sense. It was a success.
The show it self is challenging for High School students unless they fully grasp the seriousness of the story itself. Once the kids really began to understand the world they were trying create on the stage, they really began to blossom. " - Review by Kenneth Cramer, Montini Catholic High School, Downers Grove, Ill.
- "This adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel was very useful for an academic theatre. It provided great learning opportunities for our students and brought this dystopian novel to life on the stage for our audiences."
- Review by Chris McCoy, William Jewel College, Liberty, Mo.
- "This is an intense show that was a great acting experience for my cast. Try to bring some lightness during rehearsals in order not to get swallowed up with the darkness! The audiences were so appreciative. You could hear a pin drop through every minute of the two and a quarter hours of play—not an easy task in this day and age. We made it a point not to get too political, but I could easily see a production making a lot of current connections."
- Review by Paul Belanger, Bancroft School, Worcester, Mass.
- "Challenging play for advanced high school actors, also provided terrific design opportunities."
- Review by Rod Hearn and Bruce Bryant, Galena High School, Reno, Nev.
- "The play 1984 seemed perfect for this time in America's history. The script was adapted well, retaining all the important elements of Orwell's story."
- Review by Melissa Byers, Hempfield High School, Landisville, Pa.
- "This was truly an unforgettable experience. The show was amazing, as was our set. The audience was blown away by the acting, set and projections!!"
- Review by Laura Anderle-Smith, Nathan Hale High School, Milwaukee, Wis.
Hints, Tips, and Tricks
- "I would suggest having the students maybe read the book or at least have in-depth character development to help them grasp the tragedy this show is."
- Tip by Kenneth Cramer, Montini Catholic High School, Downers Grove, Ill.
- "Instead of small television screens, we used a 5' X 10' video screen to present footage, some stock/archive and some videos produced in-house. We used a more benign image for Big Brother, one that seemed more contemporary. Focus was still on the performances but the large screen emphasized the omnipresence of BB. We also had a very talented student compose an original score that we used for scene transitions. He played it live on a grand piano, out of sight of the audience. Make sure that the technology does not overwhelm the acting, they have to work in synchronization."
- Tip by Alan Sapp, Rockway Mennonite Collegiate, Kitchener, Ontario
- "Definitely be sure to utilize lights and sound to indicate the passage of time. I also added an ensemble of guards and party members to keep the stage filled at all times. This supported the idea that someone is always watching."
- Tip by Britnee Kenyon, Rolling Meadows High School, Rolling Meadows, Ill.
- "If you use technology to your advantage, this can be a visually wonderful show."
- Tip by Ben Parker, Alvarado I.S.D., Alvarado, Texas
Productions
Location | City | State | Opens | Closes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sharnbrook Mill Theatre | Sharnbrook | 9/24/2025 | 9/28/2025 | |
Theatre Charlotte | Charlotte | North Carolina | 10/25/2024 | 11/10/2024 |
Fain Fine Arts Center Theatre | Wichita Falls | Texas | 2/20/2025 | 2/23/2025 |
Waco Civic Theatre | Waco | Texas | 1/24/2025 | 1/26/2025 |
Decatur High School | Federal Way | Washington | 11/6/2024 | 11/15/2024 |
Cloverdale Performing Arts Center | Cloverdale | California | 3/14/2025 | 3/23/2025 |
Cloverdale Performing Arts Center | Cloverdale | California | 3/14/2025 | 3/23/2025 |
Boston University Student Theater at Agganis Arena | Boston | Massachusetts | 11/14/2024 | 11/16/2024 |
Kailash Mital Theatre | Ottawa | Ontario | 11/14/2024 | 11/17/2024 |
Downloads
Poster Suggestions
- Each poster includes a text box which allows you to customize it with your production information. Once a poster has been opened, position your mouse over the lower third portion until you see a label with instructions on entering your production information. Use the Text Select Tool to customize your poster.
- You can print the poster in its original format and hand write your information.
- Your local copy shop should be able to create prints from a file saved to disk. They might even be able to increase the size of the poster for you (although some loss of resolution will occur).