1984 in 2026 

The atmosphere can only be described as eerie- yet guests still crowd into the Arena Style seating to watch 1984 on stage. Live- feed security cameras project the play from several angles, and at other times display the ever-watching eyes of the supreme political entity: “Big Brother.” 

1984 is a classic dystopian novel by George Orwell, and was recently performed on stage for the first time by the University of Idaho Department of Arts. Within Forge Theater, the stage is decorated to feel exactly like a dystopian version of our world, with several different sets, lighting settings, and a surrounding soundsystem that pulls the audience directly into the world.  

The play follows Winston Smith; a well-behaved citizen of “Oceania”, a member of the Ministry of Truth,  and a follower of the ever-watching Big Brother. At work, Winston is responsible for erasing history and spreading propaganda and “Newspeak” (a term used to describe the simplification of language in order to gain control). Despite his career, Winston is actually the protagonist of the play- and refusing to do the job he was assigned would be committing a thought-crime, which is the worst of all crimes. 

Everything however, becomes even more difficult for poor Winston when Julia is introduced. She is transferred to work beside him, and is particularly upbeat and sweet- but Winston knows that she’s been following him. Julia confesses her love to him, and it’s revealed that both Winston and Julia despise their oppressive government- but where a typical story would allow for a happy ending, this is where 1984’s tragic romance begins.  

Both actors played their roles extremely well, and the chemistry between the two forbidden lovers felt incredibly real. There were times within the play that it felt more like watching two people genuinely fall for each other rather than a fictional couple trying to escape their totalitarian society.  

Eventually, Winston and Julia want to get married- and after renting out a secret hiding spot above a town shop, they seek out the help of O’Brien (Julia’s friend and suspected opponent of Big Brother) in order to be officiated. Furthermore, they both pledge their loyalty to helping the downfall of Big Brother’s control. 

The costume department’s work was delightful in this portion of the play. They swap out Julia’s uniform for a beautiful vintage dress, and O’Brien’s maroon robe is the epitome of luxury and power. They stand out amongst the rest of the play’s uniform jumpsuits, and highlight the individuality that comes with rebellion.  

Unfortunately, It is revealed in the last act that O’Brien was a double agent, and this is where Winston and Julia are separated.  

It is essentially destiny that the two suffer, and the audience cannot help but be sympathetic towards the two broken hearts. 

They are both taken to the Ministry of Love, where Winston is tortured. He is beaten, starved, shocked, and sleep deprived by O’Brien in order to break his spirit and force him to submit to Oceania.  

This is where the actors are able to truly shine. Winston, Syme, and Parson’s anguish is incredibly real and painful to hear- Their repercussions feel haunting, and the play feels more like a horror than a dystopia during the scenes where they cry out for food and mercy.  

Winston finally snaps as his face is forced into a cage of rats. He begs the guards to take Julia instead- and by sacrificing his love in terms of self preservation, O’Brien and Big Brother have won.  

The final scene portrays a broken Winston in a cafe. He runs into a blank-faced Julia. They apologize for their betrayals- but they no longer have feelings for each other. Their hearts only belong to Big Brother. 

The melancholy captured within their departure leaves a bitter taste in the mouth- and reminds viewers why 1984 is a classic to begin with.  

The original book serves as a warning to what a totalitarian society can become. It predicts a future where love is repressed, individualism is punished, the past is controlled, and people are always surveilled, and in turn reminds us how important the right to be free and oneself is within a rapidly changing world.  

As the world keeps evolving so rapidly, it’s important to continue showing plays such as this one to ensure that the media is never lost, and adapting it towards a new format can reach even more people than the typical novel would have.  

The cast and crew of 1984 brought a terrible world to life yet still managed to touch our hearts and ensure that every viewer will value their freedom forever.