Review: The Actors' Gang Masterfully Transforms ORWELL'S 1984 into a Frighteningly Realistic Robbins' 2016
ORWELL'S 1984/by George Orwell/adapted by Michael Gene Sullivan/directed by Tim Robbins/The Actors' Gang/thru April 16, 2016
The Actors' Gang's Artistic Director Tim Robbins deftly directs his extremely talented cast as they fluidly impart the Orwellian tale of total Big Brother domination in ORWELL'S 1984. Originally viewed as sci-fi when written back in 1949, ORWELL'S 1984 complements as a fitting addition to The Actors' Gang's current Season of Justice. Michael Gene Sullivan has ever so smartly adapted George Orwell's novel into the present 21st century with such 'futuristic' items as a smartphones, apps, and the saying "LOL."
A bodiless, booming electronic voice from the overhead speakers control the interrogation and ultimate brainwashing of #6079 Smith, formerly known as Winston. Four Big Brother Party Members alternately surround, simultaneously circle, continuously taunt, and at times, simply yell and scream at #6709. The four intimidate and periodically role-play as #6709's forced to read from his appropriated anti-Big Brother diary.
Pierre Adeli completely embodies this captured traitor #6709 Smith. Initially defiant, Adeli easily exposes the frustration of #6709 having to repeatedly explain his actions and thoughts. #6709 convincingly holds out maintaining his innocence in his accused betrayal against Big Brother. The ending of ORWELL'S 1984 finds Adeli's #6709's a totally different being and Adeli's quite authentic in his transformation.
The four Party Members, in tandem and individually, use various forms of psychological torture to break their prisoner. Their methods - all precise, militaristic, seemingly unfeeling - with only #6709's confession as their goal. The synchronized goosestep marching and choreographed fist-jumping of the Party Members amp up the intense hopelessness of #6709's inevitable plight while effectively utilizing all of the in-the-round staging. Very effective as a united front of audio sensory overload from the Four, each Party Member play-acts various other parts from #6709's diary. Will McFadden, Lee Hanson, Bob Turton, and Jeremie Loncka all scarily forceful as the Party Members and totally human in their various diary roles. McFadden compellingly takes on Winston's role in his diary narration (while simultaneously mirroring Adeli's actions) as he makes contact with several Goldstein (anti-Big Brother) sympathizers and pursues a sexual liaison with Hanson as Julia, a full-blooded, cussing, sexual woman. Hanson's as wonderfully sensual as Julia as she's no-nonsense robotic as Party Member #2.
Amidst his exacting and precise Big Brother exclamations, Turton welcomingly provides one of the few moments of levity when singing with his dulcet tones, he quickly changes to a hysterical falsetto. Hanson also seizes her opportunity to show off her vocal chops in Julia's seduction of Winston. Actually, Turton and Loncka as the bratty children of Winston's harried neighbor (Hanson) terrifyingly funny, also.
Though entering late in the second act as O'Brien, another Party Member; Brian Finney definitively adds his intriguingly powerful presence in this predestined fate of #6709.
This fine-tuned production leaves you chillingly aware that Big Brother is watching us now. Cue the ominous ending horror music.
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