Keith Allen To Star In 1984 At Theatre Royal Bath And On Tour

Seventy-five years on from the publication of George Orwell’s groundbreaking novel 1984, casting has been announced for Theatre Royal Bath Productions’ new stage version by Ryan Craig and directed by Lindsay Posner, which will play Theatre Royal Bath from 20 – 28 September 2024, followed by dates in Malvern, Poole, Guildford, Cambridge, Brighton, Richmond and Liverpool.

George Orwell’s masterpiece creates a world where every action is painstakingly monitored and controlled by a powerful regime, where independent thought and choice are relics of an almost-forgotten past.

 On 4th April 1984, Winston Smith, comrade number 6079, starts a diary, a simple act which puts Winston’s life in jeopardy. A clandestine love affair with co-worker Julia further enrages the authorities, but can they truly trust each other? And what of the mysterious O’Brien? Will he help them overthrow the regime, confront them with their most terrifying fears, or worse…?

Versatile actor, comedian and musician Keith Allen(The Young Ones, The Pembrokeshire Murders, The Homecoming, Pinter 3) plays O’Brien, with Mark Quartley (BBC’s Inside Man, The Tempest, RSC) as Winston, Eleanor Wyld (Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare’s Globe) as Julia and David Birrell(King John, RSC, Bodies, Netflix) as Parsons. Niamh Bennett plays the Voice of the Telescreen, with Lewis Hart as the camera operator.

Ryan Craig’s recent work includes Charlotte and Theodore, which received its world premiere at the Ustinov Studio in February 2023. Nominated as Most Promising Playwright at the Evening Standard Theatre Awards in 2005, he has gone on to win acclaim for The Holy Rosenbergs and Our Class at The National Theatre, The Glass Room and Filthy Business at Hampstead Theatre.

Director Lindsay Posner returns to Bath fresh from the West End transfers of Noises Off and A View From The Bridge, and the sell-out success of The Deep Blue Sea.

The creative team includes Justin Nardella (Set, Costume and Video Designer), Paul Pyant (Lighting Designer) and Giles Thomas (Sound Designer), with Associate Video Designer Stanley Orwin-Fraser, Casting Director Ginny Schiller CDG, Associate Director George Jibson and Assistant Designer Lorelei Cairns.

Theatre Royal Bath Productions present
1984

By George Orwell
In a new adaptation by Ryan Craig
Directed by Lindsay Posner

Friday 20 September – Saturday 28 September 2024
NATIONAL PRESS NIGHT Wednesday 25 September 7pm
Theatre Royal Bath
theatreroyal.org.uk

Tuesday 1 October - Saturday 5 October 2024
Malvern Theatre
malvern-theatres.co.uk

Tuesday 8 October – Saturday 12 October 2024
Lighthouse Theatre, Poole
lighthousepoole.co.uk

Tuesday 15 October – Saturday 19 October 2024
Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

Tuesday 22 October - Saturday 26 October 2024
Cambridge Arts Theatre
cambridgeartstheatre.com

Tuesday 29 October - Saturday 2 November 2024
Brighton Theatre Royal
trch.co.uk

Tuesday 12 November - Saturday 16 November 2024
Richmond Theatre
atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre/

Tuesday 19 November - Saturday 23 November 2024
Liverpool Playhouse
everymanplayhouse.com

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