Keith Allen to star in 1984 at Theatre Royal Bath and on tour

Seventy-five years on from the publication of George Orwell’s groundbreaking novel 1984, casting has been announced for Theatre Royal Bath Productions’ thrilling new stage version by Ryan Craig and directed by Lindsay Posner, which will play Theatre Royal Bath from 20 – 28 September, followed by dates in Malvern, Poole, Guildford, Cambridge, Brighton, Richmond and Liverpool.

George Orwell’s masterpiece creates a world where every action is painstakingly monitored and controlled by a powerful regime, where independent thought and choice are relics of an almost-forgotten past.

On 4 April 1984, Winston Smith, comrade number 6079, starts a diary, a simple act which puts Winston’s life in jeopardy. A clandestine love affair with co-worker Julia further enrages the authorities, but can they truly trust each other? And what of the mysterious O’Brien? Will he help them overthrow the regime, confront them with their most terrifying fears, or worse…?

Versatile actor, comedian and musician Keith Allen (The Young Ones, The Pembrokeshire Murders, The Homecoming, Pinter 3) plays O’Brien, with Mark Quartley (BBC’s Inside Man, The Tempest, RSC) as Winston, Eleanor Wyld (Macbeth, The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare’s Globe) as Julia, and David Birrell (King John, RSC; Bodies, Netflix) as Parsons. Niamh Bennett plays the Voice of the Telescreen, with Lewis Hart as the camera operator.

The creative team includes set, costume and video designer Justin Nardella, lighting designer Paul Pyant, sound designer Giles Thomas, and casting director Ginny Schiller CDG.

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