1984 is Exceptional at The Citz (Theatre Review) 5 Stars *****

Dystopian literature lends itself to theatricality; think bleak, high end concepts with black and white messages. 1984 is all that. Orwell’s novel, created through his disillusionment with the way in which society was at that time progressing, in a new adaptation by Chris Hannan is a theatrical tour de force.

Hannan has framed the narrative within Orwell’s own journey for recuperation at Hairmyre’s Hospital before going back to the Isle of Jura to finish the novel. Three sequences – at the beginning of each act and at the end sees Orwell play out verbal jousting with a spiky nurse and a fellow fighter from the Spanish Civil War as doctor. The doctor, however, was on the fascist’s side. It brings a levity and a lightness of touch which also brings some humour. You don’t necessarily associate humour either with dystopian fiction or indeed with George Orwell but here it enhances and heightens the effect of some of the other scenes.

Orwell’s masterpiece, recounts the struggle of Winston, here played superbly by Jack Tarlton, against Big Brother. In a forbidden relationship with Julia (Jessica Hardwick), he begins whispering his opposition, to writing it, to pronouncing it, to seeking to join The Resistance – The Brotherhood. Unfortunately for both he and Julia, all the people he approaches are working for the very state he seeks to bring down – their arrest comes as no surprise. Taken to Room 101, Winston through torture and re-education becomes an advocate of the authoritarian principles that he abhorred.

The cast has many standout performances including Tarlton doubling as Orwell, Irene Allan as Nurse Rankine and Irene MacDougall as sinister as they come O’Brien, torturer and undercover spy.

The set is split with an impressive dark brown container, heavily industrial scaffolding around, and above projections at the back, which bring Big Brother slogans, but also symbolise decay with the slogan LOVE losing definition but HATE gaining focus above the cast and mirroring the claustrophobic oppression of freedom that people feel when under the thumb of authoritarianism.

It is a triumph of conception from Tom Piper. The discordance of the soundscape from Nikola Kodjabashia and Phineas de Thornley Head, plus sound design by Mark Melville, and the dramatic lighting design from Lizzie Powell continues the dystopian feel. This is an exceptional piece of theatre which continues Dominic Hill’s tenure as Artistic Director in bringing the traditions of past Citizens’ productions back to the Gorbals.

Review date: Friday 4^th September 2026

Tickets: 1984, Citizens Theatre, 29th August till 26th September 2026

1984 is at the Citizens Theatre before going on tour to Dundee Rep Theatre (30th September – 10th October, 2026); Aberdeen: His Majesty’s Theatre (13th October – 17th, 2026); and Edinburgh: The Royal Lyceum Theatre (27th October – November 7th, 2026

Photo credit: Mihaela Bodlovic