Every once in a while I am reminded to pause and remember back to projects which suddenly took on a life of their own and just blew my mind…
When I was asked to join Storytel’s original audio drama production of ‘1984’ as UK production manager, I was thrilled, for a multiple of reasons:
I already knew that working with the creative duo that is director/producer Kate Jones and writer/director/producer Anna Lea would mean the highest calibre of artistic input, a close collaboration and a shared passion for telling the story in the most compelling way.
George Orwell’s ‘1984’ is a lighthouse of wisdom, set in a frightening and dystopian landscape. Penned more than 75 years ago, it portrays the terrifying truth of a dictatorship where lies are called truth, slavery freedom – and where thought crime carries the penalty of torture and death.
The adaption by Anna Lea brings the narrative so close to the listener that it is almost impossible to escape.
And the fact that each actor in the ensemble had to record in a separate space due to the Covid-19 restrictions further emphasised the theme of human isolation.
‘1984’ was recorded in February 2022 and the production happened to coincide with the news of Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine – a stark reminder of how Orwell’s futuristic narrative, written more than 75 years ago, is still so real and resonating with our times.
Click on the video below for a listen to the first 5 minutes 👇:
And the full immersive version is available here:
https://www.audiobooks.co.uk/audiobook/1984/620650
Storytel’s ‘1984’ was also localised into another 10 languages and went on to be shortlisted for the prestigious Audies Awards. So well deserved – this is theatre of the mind in the most raw, powerful and poignant way….
I have been listening to ‘1984’ throughout the month of February. What are you listening to? 🎧