‘And after that, you don’t feel the same towards the other person any longer.’ This powerful production of 1984 left those famous words with me as I watched the new immersive 1984 experience at Hackney Town Hall.
As you enter the town hall, the actors are immediately in character. You’re transported to 1984 and you are suddenly a part of the great state of Oceania. As the show begins, it becomes clearer that all attendees have applied for a role at the ministry of truth. Big Brother is loved by all and we are all struggling in the perpetual war with the rest of the world. Here individuality is a capital crime and a person’s thoughts are even more severely punished than their actions.
As soon as the experience begins, you’re taken to complete a test. I won’t give too much away but it’s very realistic. The actual story takes place in 2 locations in the town hall and they split the very large group up into 3 to manage moving from one part of the town hall to the other. I was skeptical but actually it is a great place for an immersive experience.
This story is condensed into 75 minutes and cuts much of the waffle out of the novel’s plot and has turned the key lines and scenes into perfect adaptation for stage performance.
Would I recommend it? Yes. It is rare that production companies create a truly immersive experience.
Where: Hackney Town Hall
When: Until 17th December
Tickets: www.immersive1984.com
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I’m Rosie!
