1984
Adapted by Andrew White
from novel by George Orwell
Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted (map)
thru Nov 20 | tix: $20 | more info
Check for half-price tickets
Pandering and dull
Steppenwolf Theatre presents
1984
Review by Lauren Whalen
George Orwell’s “1984” is a tricky story to adapt. What makes the book so powerful is how much of it has come true since its publication in 1949. Americans now depend on technology to get through the day. We live in a police-state nation where walking to a convenience store or reporting on the local news can get an individual, or several, shot and killed. And those who won’t conform or speak out against injustices – especially women, minorities, and transgender people – are at risk of experiencing death threats or losing their lives. Andrew White’s adaptation of “1984” won a Joseph Jefferson Award a decade ago, but watching Steppenwolf for Young Adults’ new production, I can’t quite understand why. This 1984 is a mess: poorly paced and unnecessarily pandering to its core audience of teenagers.
Last year, Steppenwolf for Young Adults presented another Orwellian classic, Animal Farm. The story of a barnyard joining forces and subsequently falling apart was eerie, disturbing and ultimately powerful. Unfortunately, 1984 doesn’t work as well. Like the weaker moments of Steppenwolf’s currently-running season opener, East of Eden, it’s fairly obvious when adaptor White is using Orwell’s prose word for word. The dialog is so wooden, the audience is hard-pressed to feel sympathy for Winston, Julia or even Winston’s younger, more innocent self (Matthew Abraham). Certain details and plot points are introduced but never explained, and the script seems to dumb down the original text. Even torture scenes that should be utterly disturbing have no real arc or momentum.
Director Hallie Gordon’s pacing is so slow that 90 minutes feels a whole lot longer. While Collette Pollard’s scenic design is beautifully stark, relying on white walls and symbolic filing drawers, Joseph A. Burke’s projections are overused and often resemble bad student films. It’s difficult to critique the actors, because script and direction are so weak, but only Poss, Dennis Grimes (as a stuttering coworker and kindly proprietor) and Lance Baker (as a rebel who may have other motives) are in any way compelling to watch.
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed many Steppenwolf for Young Adults productions in the past. In particular, 2011’s The Heart as a Lonely Hunter and last year’s Animal Farm – both directed by Gordon – were thought-provoking and enjoyable for students and adults alike. Sadly, 1984 falls far short: the script is problematic, the direction lacking and the production values over-the-top. Perhaps 1984 is a story best read, as effective adaptation of this classic may be next to impossible.
Rating: ★★
1984 continues through November 20th at Steppenwolf Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted (map), with performances Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays 3pm and 7:30pm, Sundays 3pm. Recommended for ages 14 and up. Tickets are $20 (with student ID: $15), and are available by phone (312-335-1650) or online through their website (check for half-price tickets at Goldstar.com). More information at Steppenwolf.org. (Running time: 90 minutes without intermission)
Photos by Joe Mazza / Brave Lux Inc.
artists
cast
Matthew Abraham (Young Winston), Atra Asdou (Julia), Lance Baker (O’Brien), Elizabeth Birnkrant (Syme, Others), Manny Buckley (Parsons, Others), Dennis Grimes (Tillotson, Martin, Others), Tyrone Phillips (Ampleforth, Others), Adam Poss (Winston)
behind the scenes
Hallie Gordon (director), Collette Pollard (scenic design), Sally Dolembo (costume design), Amanda Clegg Lyon (lighting design), Andrew Rovner (sound design), Joseph A. Burke (projection design), Ryan Bourque (fight choreography), Jessamyn Fuller (casting), Deb Styer (stage manager), Joel Moorman (director of photography), Joe Mazza (photos)
15-1050
