1984
Pittsburgh Magazine (DEAD LINK) - "1984":
The lessons of George Orwell's dystopian novel "1984" may never have been more relevant than they are today - and debuting theater company Playbox
Productions won't let the audience forget it.
An intimate, confrontational staging of the tale puts the conflicts, suspicion and doublethink front and center; intimidating video pieces rattle viewers and performers alike to attention. Trent Wolfred walks a tightrope of suspicion as the sinister (or is he?) O'Brien, while Veta Piscitella exudes heart in the midst of misery as Julia. "1984" takes place this weekend at the newly remodeled Three Stories at 937 Liberty Ave.; arrive early to check out an array of '80s artifacts in the lobby.
'Burgh Vivant “1984″ A Foreshadowing of 2025? – a review of “1984.”
In the Robert Owens, Wilton E. Hall Jr, and William A. Miles Jr adaptation of “Orwell’s 1984,” every moment is an alarming wake-up call. Big Brother rails against “fake news” and constantly spouts propaganda over omnipresent two-way telescreens. He broadcasts a daily message of “Today’s Hate.” He touts a multitude of wartime “victories” he claims as his own. Those so-called “victories” are reminiscent of former empty promises heard in the U.S. Let’s not forget, “You will win so much you’ll get tired of winning.” The parallels to the present make this play frighteningly relevant.
In Orwell’s world, “If facts say otherwise, then the facts must be altered.” After all, “Who controls the past, controls the future and who controls the present, controls the past.” This leads to the dumbing down of the comrades living in Oceania. Citizens are living in constant fear in their world of no privacy, memory control, and fear-mongering. They’re bombarded with alternative facts. “Freedom is slavery,” and “Ignorance is strength” are two of the most relevant slogans today.
Winston (Ryan Rattley) works at the ironically named Ministry of Truth, where truth is destroyed and replaced with lies. He has in his possession a photograph that provides evidence of a past event that the party has erased. He falls in love with his co-worker, Julia (Veta Piscitella), and has a forbidden romantic relationship with her. The couple meets with O’Brien (Trent Wolfred), a trusted, high-ranking comrade in the privileged inner party. Winston makes the mistake of asking about the past and then acts on rumors of a conspiracy against Big Brother and the government. This lands him and his beloved Julia in a governmental facility where they’re tortured and ultimately brainwashed.
Rattley is a natural on stage. His curiosity, confusion, fear, courage, and pain are conveyed with convincing sincerity and a measure of innocence. Rattley gazes lovingly at Piscitella with a glowing warmth in his eyes.
Piscitella is a likable, sweet, feminine Julia. Her delight in shedding the drab uniform coveralls brings a lighthearted moment of normalcy to the colorless sameness of the world, where individuality is squashed. She has excellent chemistry with Rattley.
Wolfred is well cast as the party loyalist, O’Brien. He looks the part. His nuanced performance reveals a multidimensional O’Brien who is convincingly not who he seems to be — at least temporarily.
In the director’s notes, M.A.C. states, “I hope you don’t enjoy this, but rather wake up.” Mission accomplished. One can’t help but appreciate the talented cast, technical expertise, and the clever, versatile rolling set (Viscaya Wilson, designer). This show is meant to enlighten, shock, and provoke thought, not to provide enjoyment.
Not Just Politics Episode 84: Marc Palombo & M.A.C.
Join us in this episode as we sit down with Marc Palombo, the Executive Producer, and M.A.C., the Director of Playbox Productions’ debut show “1984,” which runs December 4–7 at Three Stories in partnership with the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust. We talk about the bold promo graphic and what they want people to take from it, how folks on both the left and right often misinterpret Orwell’s message, and what their creative vision looks like for this new Americanized adaptation. We get into how current events shaped their approach, whether “1984” can still feel fresh instead of cliche, how their own political perspectives show up in the work, and how their feelings about the book changed through the process of bringing this show to life.
Oilfields, Orwell, and the Pressure Along It All with Mac and Marc
From long days in the oilfields to nights in a trailer park and now a new life in Pittsburgh, Mac talks about the past that shaped him and the work he is fighting to create today. He opens up about coming from nothing, finding direction in the middle of chaos, and learning how to push forward when the pressure gets heavy.