George Orwell News

In a video published on Big Think, Comedian John Cleese said, 'I'm offended every day. For example, the British newspapers every day offend me with their laziness, their nastiness, and their inaccuracy, but I'm not going to expect someone to stop that happening; I just simply speak out about it.'  He goes on to say, 'And the whole point about humor, the whole point about comedy, and believe you me I thought about this, is that all comedy is critical. Even if you make a very inclusive joke like how would you make God laugh? Answer: Tell him your plans. Now that's about the human condition; it's not excluding anyone.'

In addition to adapting the script for Idle Muse Theatre Company's upcoming production The Hound of the Baskervilles,Shanghai Low Theatricals will design the puppetry for the production. Althos Low is the pen name for Shanghai Low Theatricals, an adaptation development group based in Chicago. Formed in 2001 as a group of theatre craftspeople adapting literary works for the stage, in 2009 the company expanded into the creation of graphics and visual development. In 2014 the group adapted George Orwell's Animal Farm for Director Hallie Gordon and the Steppenwolf Young Adults Program. For the Baskervillescollaboration, Steve Pickering serves as Adaptor, with input from the company, and House Artists Fred Baxter and Tom Kyzivat provide pre-production concept art. Pickering received a Joseph Jefferson Award for designing the costumes, masks, and puppets for Balliwick Repertory's production of Animal Farm in 1988.

At the 66th Berlin International Film Festival, three personalities will be awarded the Berlinale Camera: producer, cinema operator and film distributor Ben Barenholtz (USA); actor, director, writer and producer Tim Robbins (USA); and cinema operator Marlies Kirchner (Germany).

BroadwayWorld is excited to be giving away two (2) pairs of tickets to see The Broad Stage's production of George Orwell's '1984' on Thursday, February 4th. 

? Lookingglass Theatre Company announces the election of its newest Artistic Director, Ensemble Member Heidi Stillman. Stillman has served as Artistic Director of New Work since 2004 and replaces current Artistic Director, Ensemble Member Andrew White. White, who has held the post since 2010, will serve as the company's first Connectivity and Engagement Director. Ensemble Member Philip R. Smith remains on the artistic leadership team in his role as Producing Director. In this spirit of ensemble and collaboration, Lookingglass Ensemble members routinely vote on the position of artistic director every three years. Elections are then ratified by the Lookingglass Board of Directors, and this artistic transition is effective immediately.

Internationally renowned Danish performance artist Annika B. Lewis, brings her one-woman show, LET'S GET PERSONAL, to Theatre Project, 45 West Preston Street, Baltimore, for three performances February 19 - 21.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of Annie Baker's 2014 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, THE FLICK. Under the direction of Dexter Bullard, who also directed the Chicago premiere of Baker's Circle Mirror Transformation, the cast features Danny McCarthy, Caroline Neff and Travis Turner as the three hapless employees of THE FLICK movie house. Previews begin February 4 (opening night is February 14; press performances are Saturday, February 13 at 3pm and Tuesday, February 16 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 8, 2016 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast in rehearsal below!

The Headlong, Nottingham Playhouse, and Almeida Theatre Production of/1984/by George Orwell/in a new adaptation by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan/directed by Icke and Macmillan/The Broad Stage, Santa Monica/through February 6

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University, under the leadership of Artistic Director Diane Paulus and Executive Director Diane Quinn, presents George Orwell's 1984, in a new adaptation created by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan. 

Sacha Wares will be returning to Almeida Theatre to direct the world premiere of Leo Butler's new play Boy, after her directorial success with the critically acclaimed production, Game, by Mike Bartlett, in 2015.  Boy will run at the Almeida Theatre from 5 April until 28 May 2016, with press night on 12 April 2016. Director Sacha Wares is joined by a formidable creative team, including two powerhouse contemporary designers, Miriam Buether for set design (Wild Swans, Sucker Punch, My Child, Generations), who worked with Sacha on Game at the Almeida in 2015, and Ultz for costume (Jerusalem, Hobson's Choice, Fallout, Pied Pier), who will be collaborating with Miriam, on design, for the very first time. Further creative credits include movement by Leon Baugh, lighting by Jack Knowles and sound by Gareth Fry.

Kate Atkinson (Wentworth, The Waiting Room) and Bert LaBonte (Birdland, The Mountaintop) star in Lungs, a funny, tender and profound new play by critically acclaimed British writer Duncan Macmillan. Bringing our uncertainties and unspoken thoughts about the future into full voice, Lungs makes its Australian premiere on Thursday 11 February at Arts Centre Melbourne, Fairfax Studio.

According to a 2014 Gallup poll, the number one crime that Americans are most worried about is the hacking of personal devices and the unauthorized retrieval of sensitive information. Conversely, hacking has also been employed by those who claim they are acting on behalf of the American people-in order to protect them. WikiLeaks' Edward Snowden and the hacking group known as Anonymous are all examples of what some might call 'white hat' hackers.

Idle Muse Theatre Company announced casting forThe Hound of the Baskervilles, newly adapted by Althos Low and directed by Idle Muse Artistic Director Evan Jackson. First serialized in the Strand Magazine in 1901-1902 - and perhaps the most beloved of Conan Doyle's crime thrillers - Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson trade the foggy streets of London for the country wilds of Dartmoor to shield the life of a young heir whose family is believed cursed by a murderous hellhound. 

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents the Chicago premiere of Annie Baker's 2014 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, The Flick. Under the direction of Dexter Bullard, who also directed the Chicago premiere of Baker's Circle Mirror Transformation, the cast features Danny McCarthy, Caroline Neff and Travis Turner as the three hapless employees of The Flick movie house. Previews begin February 4 (opening night is February 14; press performances are Saturday, February 13 at 3pm and Tuesday, February 16 at 7:30pm) and runs through May 8, 2016 in Steppenwolf's Upstairs Theatre (1650 N Halsted St). Tickets ($20 - $89) are available through Audience Services (1650 N Halsted), 312-335-1650 and steppenwolf.org.

Idle Muse Theatre Company's 10th season continues with The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, newly adapted by Althos Low and directed by IMTC artistic director Evan Jackson. First serialized in the Strand Magazine in 1901-1902 - and perhaps the most beloved of Conan Doyle's crime thrillers - Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson trade the foggy streets of London for the country wilds of Dartmoor to shield the life of a young heir whose family is believed cursed by a murderous hellhound.

According to the Daily Mail, SHERLOCK star Andrew Scott might take on Shakespeare in the coming year. Baz Bamigboye writes that he is currently in talks to play Hamlet, directed by Robert Icke at the Almeida Theatre- possibly in late 2016-early 2017.

An army of artists including Ian McKellen, Stanley Tucci, Andrew Scott, Bertie Carvel, Jeremy Irvine, Jessica Brown Findlay, and many more will read Homer's sequel, THE ODYSSEY, which will be live-streamed free from unusual and iconic locations across London to celebrate the end of Almeida Greeks, today 12 November 2015.

An army of artists including Ian McKellen, Stanley Tucci, Andrew Scott, Bertie Carvel, Jeremy Irvine, Jessica Brown Findlay, and many more will read Homer's sequel, THE ODYSSEY, which will be live-streamed free from unusual and iconic locations across London to celebrate the end of Almeida Greeks, on Thursday 12 November 2015.

As Steppenwolf Theatre Company enters its 40th anniversary season, the Steppenwolf Associates -- a group of highly motivated and passionate young professionals -- kick off the fall season with a new event, UNLOCKED: 1984.

According to a 2014 Gallup poll, the number one crime that Americans are most worried about is the hacking of personal devices and the unauthorized retrieval of sensitive information. Conversely, hacking has also been employed by those who claim they are acting on behalf of the American people-in order to protect them. WikiLeaks' Edward Snowden and the hacking group known as Anonymous are all examples of what some might call 'white hat' hackers.