New Stage Adaptation of '1984' Reframes Orwell's Dystopia With Biographical Twist

A new theatrical adaptation of George Orwell's "Nineteen Eighty-Four" is being staged as a co-production between three of Scotland's leading theatres — Dundee Rep, Edinburgh's Lyceum and Glasgow's Citizens Theatre — according to a review published by The Guardian.

The production, adapted by playwright Chris Hannan, is currently running at the Citizens Theatre in Glasgow, the review states. It attempts to offer new perspective on a novel whose terminology and themes have become widely used cultural shorthand, referenced in discussions ranging from political figures such as Donald Trump to modern technology platforms like TikTok, according to the review.

According to the review, the adaptation frames the story through a speculative biographical lens, depicting Orwell's own treatment for tuberculosis at a hospital near Glasgow. The reviewer notes that actor Jack Tarlton plays both Orwell and the novel's protagonist, Winston Smith, portraying both characters with similar traits including petulance and a hacking cough.

The review describes the initial correlation drawn between Orwell and Winston as feeling reductive. However, it notes that the contrast becomes more pronounced as the play develops: Winston is portrayed with childlike naivety and delivers monologues pleading for authentic conversation that reverberate emptily, described in the review as functioning like "a literal echo chamber." This is juxtaposed against Orwell's colder dialogues with his doctor, a character who reportedly fought against him as a fascist during the Spanish Civil War.

The Guardian review characterizes the overall production as "frustrating but provocative," suggesting the adaptation seeks to refresh the novel's well-worn metaphors and restore a sense of immediacy to its portrayal of totalitarianism for contemporary audiences.