Words by Kathers Anderson
4.5 Star rating
1984 (George Orwell). Theatre Guild Student Society. Little Theatre, University of Adelaide. Last show 17th September 2023.
CONTENT WARNING: Violence, physical and mental abuse, sexual references, and swearing
Poster. Image supplied by the Adelaide University Theatre Guild Student Society
Brought to you by the University of Adelaide Theatre Guild Student Society, Michael Gene Sullivan’s theatre adaptation of George Orwell’s ‘1984’ cannot be described as any less than a hit.
Orwell’s story of blossoming love struggling to survive in a warring authoritative country runs disturbingly parallel with modern life. Director Oswin Kwan’s Australian adaptation, and his detailing of the fictitious conflicts between Oceania and East Asia, hit hard, especially when one considers the current political strain between the West and China. It is only deepened by Kwan’s background of living in Hong Kong post-occupation, and the changes this brought to the region.
Photo by Charlie Milne: Adam Bullmore and Liam Warmeant. Image supplied by the Adelaide University Theatre Guild Student Society
The audience witnessed an interrogation as Adam Bullmore (The Interrogator) paced behind their chairs, his voice projecting clearly throughout the room. “Be precise!” he yelled at Liam Warmeant (Winston Smith) as he slowly and tortuously pries the events prior to Warmeant’s arrest. The audience observed as four Party Members assisted Bullmore in their interrogation – but, placed as they are, who is to say the audience have not also been conscripted to the Party?
The raw anger and frustration brought to the stage by Ravij Paranavithana as Party Member #3, paralleled by Lily Watkins’ (Party Member #4) steadfastness creates a tension and humanises the Party Members. Henry Chipperfield and Veronika Wlodarczyk’s (Party Member #1 and Party Member #2) confusion during their recreation of Winson and Julia’s romance demonstrates a yearning for the innocence that has been lost in the Big Brother world. Their roles drove home their steadfast loyalty to Big Brother, loyalty created by underlying fear and uncertainty. Their movements flowed and synchronised, sometimes violent, sometimes seductive – beautifully choreographed by Movement Director Deli Cooper, whose involvement in this production should not be ignored.
Photo by Charlie Milne: Henry Chipperfield and Veronika Wlodarczyk. Image supplied by the Adelaide University Theatre Guild Student Society
All of this was observed with morose despair by Warmeant, as he witnessed the reenactment of his actions that brought him to his confinement. The performance by Warmeant was captivating and not once during the period of the performance did he break out of character. One would be filled with a sense of morbidity while filling the theatre and during the interval, as Warmeant lay sprawled, as if dead, upon the platform on the stage. The audience talked amongst each other without a care, as if an unmoving body was part of social normality.
Photo by Charlie Milne: Liam Warmeant. Image supplied by the Adelaide University Theatre Guild Student Society
Warmeant’s shifts from defiance to lost despair were only emphasised by Bullmore’s performance as the Interrogator. Bullmore’s voice, once revealed, was powerful and fearsome – akin to an army sergeant disciplining a wayward soldier, but far more sinister when dealing with Warmeant.
Photo by Charlie Milne: Adam Bullmore. Image supplied by the Adelaide University Theatre Guild Student Society
This performance should not be missed. The care and attention to detail brought by everyone involved with the production imprints itself upon one’s consciousness, where you’ll find yourself considering the messages Orwell and Kwan have immersed the narrative with.
Do yourself a favour and see it this weekend – only two shows remain!
On Dit 