The set was quite basic yet effective. All the scenes featured two large wooden walls, which were moved for different scenes. These walls were used as a technique to change scene. When a new scene was started the walls would be spun round to illustrate a new scene, which was very effective. Throughout the play short videos were shown for a variety of reasons. These included: emphasizing a point within the play, to give new information to the audience or to add to the dramatic effect of a particular scene.
Various lighting techniques were used including a spotlight. A spotlight makes you focus on one particular part of the stage where usually a scene is being acted. A spotlight can add tension and increased dramatic effect to a scene, for example when soliloquies are used. An additional lighting method used was to flash bright lights at the audience to illustrate a scene change. This was very effective as afterwards a new scene was taking place. As well as lighting techniques, the props used were very successful in making the scene more exciting and attention grabbing. One prop used was a counterfeit electric chair. In this scene the main character was being tortured using the electric chair. The smoke and sounds the chair was making made the scene even more dramatic and made you sympathise with him even more.
The main characters included a man named Winston, and a woman called Julia who has already had already a couple of illegal love affairs. Both characters were deprived of their rights and wanted the same thing, freedom. They fell in love with one another and promised each other they would keep their relationship secret, as they would be severely punished if discovered. They regularly secretly met up to make love with one another. However one of the individuals from Big Brother, who was controlling these people and limiting their rights, found out about their relationship and consequently Winston was separated from Julia, and tortured until his beliefs coincided with those of the Party, (Big Brother). The man was a very serious character who stood up for what he believed in and so towards the closing stages was tortured more than normal causing him to be in greater pain and suffering. The lady on the other hand was more fun loving and was willing to take more risks. A Minor character who I found interesting was the man who owned the small shop selling old yet valuable antiques. He was a very knowledgeable man who kept his trade a secret.
The best moments I thought were towards the end. The beginning of the play was less interesting and the storyline quite difficult to interpret based on the way it was acted. However, as the play went on it became more straightforward to understand and at the same time more dramatic. When video clips of a man being tortured were played I found it quite disturbing yet it added to the effect of the scene making the play improved overall.
On the whole 1984 was a very dramatic play to watch with a strong storyline. It had a wide range of dramatic techniques, which were carried out successfully. I would recommend this play as it puts across a powerful message and makes you feel fortunate that you are not limited on what actions you can perform.
