1984 Adapted by Shake & Stir

29 Oct - 9 Nov 2025

Playhouse, QPAC

Dr Gemma Regan

Beware, Big Brother IS Watching You, and you will be forewarned with Shake and Stir’s terrifying production of 1984!

Shake and Stir have revisited their incredible production of George Orwell’s iconic and now all too realistic dystopian novel, 1984. Brisbane’s own Shake & Stir have produced a plethora of award-winning novel-based plays, including Frankenstein, Jane Eyre, Animal Farm and Dracula.

Adaptor’s Nelle Lee & Nick Skubij and Director Michael Futcher, have re-invigorated their 2016 production of 1984, with a dynamic cast and a bold narrative that, in these terrifying times of media control and sinister idiots in power, makes it an absolute must-see production!

The constant surveillance and sinister government conspiracies parallel the authoritarian USA led by Trump and his spin-doctors in the “land of the free” is terrifying and confronting, as they have clearly used Orwell’s 1984 as their Agenda 2025 playbook. “He who controls the past controls the future reality.”

Dangerously disenfranchised Winston Smith, played convincingly by Michael Whalley, 

works as an editor at the Ministry of Truth, where he spends all day at a computer rewriting history to favour The Party and Big Brother. Every word and gesture is scrutinised by the multitude of cameras in and out of everyone’s home, and everywhere, Big Brother is watching. 

If you pull the wrong face, think antagonistic thoughts or react badly, the thought police will take you in the night to the "Ministry of Love" to face your fears in Room 101.

The use of a giant multi-media screen to represent Big Brother watching and also show what Big Brother can see is extremely effective. Patrick Galen-Mules, as the terrifying Face-crime Presenter, stares down at the cast amongst a simple grey prison-like set as they try to maintain some individual identity whilst appearing to conform.

Chloe Bayliss, as the young, vibrant Julia from the Fiction department, breathes life back into the ageing automaton, Winston. Her recklessness and desire for sexual freedom lead him astray under the gaze of Zoë Schramm, the Fight the Orgasm Presenter. 

Inner Party Member, O’Brien is terrifyingly realistic, peddling the mantras that “War is Peace” and “Freedom is Slavery”. His quiet confidence oozes intimidation as he parrots to Winston that 2 + 2 = 5.

Jason Glenwright’s lighting is dark, using strobes and spotlights with great effect and further casting the dystopian gloom over the audience. There are also the obligatory torture scenes, making it unsuitable for young children, but a must for teenagers, who are always happy to give up their freedoms for a new app!

Shake and Stir’s 1984 is riveting and recommended viewing for anyone who wishes to see how insightful Orwell was and how terrifyingly far beyond 1984 we are in 2025…