evaluation of performance

 On the 1st may 2014 we performed out final piece to an audience of around 80 people including parents and young adults.we used multimedia and performance to create a atmospheric piece of theatre based around the book 1984 by George Orwell.
Our version of this book was called 2050. This was because at the end of the book in then notes a the end it says that the regiment ends in 2050.
For our performance we used immersive theatre, this meant that the audience were free to make there own way round and each had a different experience within the converted rooms and corridors of the old building which has a prison like feel to it with its dark black brick walls and barred windows with the added affect of multimedia such as sound,lighting and video used effectively in each room.

 room 413 was the canteen in the performance. it is quite a large room and so suited the setting nicely. It is also quite oppressive because of the black walls and barred windows however there is a contrasting openness about it thanks to the large amounts of windows. to improve the oppressive feeling which is a theme in 1984 they could have perhaps blacked out a couple of the windows.The multimedia used in this room was sound and video. the sound was a background voice of 'war is peace, freedom is slavery,ignorance is strength' in a low monotone male voice. the audience would have been effected by this as it was being constantly repeated, it mimicked the idea that they were being forced and brainwashed into believing in the regime, it was being constantly listened to and even if they did not register the sound it would have subliminally been heard. i think this was very effective at helping audience members become a part of the world of 1984. The other multimedia usage in this room was a projection onto the wall of the thought criminals admitting to there crimes on public display although the video was muted you could still tell what the idea of it was. this made audience members stop and watch it momentarily. the video being played on loop alongside the sound effect worked well together because it showed to the audience members the repetitiveness of this society. although not necessarily intended i found the smell of the uncooked vegetable soup that they were handing out in the canteen added well to the environment was quite a sickly smell and not at all appetising but if you lived in the world of 1984 this would be all you got and you could not change it or complain. the smell permeated through the hallway as well so people were drawn towards this room,i think this was effective for audience members as the use of smell isn't something that is usually done and was a memorable thing. the insoc/big brother is watching you posters  and the insoc food added effect by simply making the world more believable to the audience members.

room 411 was room 101. this room was the darkest most intimidating room as it was the torture room. the windows were completely blacked out with black paper and the main lights were turned of, there was the light from the projector, the light from a small lamp in the corner which created and eerie glow and also the light from the broken television. the television and the projector both created quite flickery lights which to audience members could seem quite frightening. the glowing lamp in the corner was atmospheric as it created spooky shadows that made audience members tense.the use of lighting in this room was definitely very effective in creating the world of 1984 as it also made the room feel very claustrophobic,tense and stuffy manipulating the audience into instantly disliking the room they were in. on a white box in the centre of the room there was a projection of a eye having a cataract removed and it looked like some sort of eye torture which would be shocking for an audience member to see especially if they are squeamish or don't like gore. the tools laid out of the table signified the kind of torture you were in for if you didn't believe in big brother, people didn't want to be taken to room 101 so they automatically conformed to the ideas of the 1984 regime. the old broken television added light,image and sound. it created a sort of white noise sound which makes people feel uncomfortable. its the kind of thing that happens in movies before something bad is going to happen so it builds the audience member up for this sort of shock however when it doesn't come this fear isn't lost as the person hasn't had the shock so instead the carry it around with them for the rest of the performance which i think is very effective. for sound multimedia they used the recording of a baby crying. this noise is automatically meant to make humans feel uncomfortable as our maternal /paternal instinct kicks in and you want to see if the child is okay and not hurt. the thought of a child hurt in many adults minds is cruel and makes them feel quite guilty so i think this also worked well alongside there use of lighting and projection .

room 415 was O'Brien office. this room was the only room that used theatrical lighting for their performance to show the power and authority O'Brien and big brother have over Oceania and airstrip one to the audience members watching it is clearly obvious that he is higher up then someone like rose. the people working on computers was effective as they were actually mining information about the audience members, this meant if an audience member walked by and saw there image on the screen then there privacy would feel invaded and they would question why people would live like this and it fully immerses them into the world of 1984.

Stanley's room was the room directly opposite the staircase when you came upstairs. the room was practically empty with just a bed and a few draws. i think this set was good because it showed that actually Stanley didn't have money to waste on little items that aren't needed. the multimedia in this room was sound. the music player was  under the bed so when you came in there was just this sort of background music creating atmosphere and you didn't know where it was coming from. i think this room was effective because it makes people ask questions about how important and relevant most of the material things we have are. following the plot all Stanley really has is rose and this is clearly portrayed in his room.

the outside courtyard space was used for exersise training.there wasn't any use of multimedia although we did have to sing a patriotic song to big brother.not many people came to our area however many people were looking out the windows from upstairs so it is good that we stayed in character the whole time.

the audience members were introduced to the world of 1984 in the lecutre theatre where they were given surgical masks with numbers on. this instantly gave audience members a lack of freedom to be who they are as to us they were just numbers. the lighting in the lecutre theatre was effective as the audience went in as though they were still in 2014 but after a short blackout they came out on the other side in 2050 and in the chaotic and sureal world of winson and rose.the blackout they experienced was disorientating and probably seemed like a lot longer then it actually was. this prepared the audience well for what they had over the next hour in the rest of the production

timeline for the whole performance

all rooms timeline

props list

This is a list of the props that will be needed and used during the performance in the rose garden 
- We will need a CD player in order to play a recording that has been made by Chloe.
- A few books .
- We will need an old rug or picnic blanket a picnic basket, and a range of food e.g bread, jam and fruit etc..
- Posters and leaflets created by Tobi and Chloe and me , showing images of big brother, rebels and slogans.
- One of the white boxes will be need during the speech that will be given by Chloe as a podium.

chloe monolouge ( written by Chloe)

Stanley, Stanley I don’t understand how this emotion or what this emotion is but all feel is this warmth when you’re near me or the words get stuck in my tongue like stutter.  When you bumped into me, my heart knocked the books from arms and across the floor…. (Touch his face) when I realised it was you I didn’t know what to do because all that echoed in my brain was THOUGHT CRIMER…. THOUGHT CRIMER and I didn’t understand. I’m ready to take the risk… but only if you are. The feelings I have aren’t natural but their here and their still true feelings. The betting that we will get caught is high but at least we died trying. (Slowly walks around looking round looking at every detail) My mind is made up of how I feel and I can’t change unless you brain wash me into changing my mind.  I don’t know whether to admit it to you yet about how I feel as I’m scared myself but this is the only risk I will ever take in  my life which yes may cost my life but I am willing to take it. The most important thing is where together … here right now and that’s all that matters right?

If Big Brother hears what I’m saying or thinking I dare to think what they would do to me. My heart fears when I think this… but I think of you and its all worth it.  Things they do to people when if they find about thought crime are horrible but if I can just have a another second with you it would be worth it.

I can I finally say it without being scared… I love you

costume description

as I was playing a character who was doing training exercises we had to wear comfortable but warmish clothes. I wore black PE shorts because as a group we decided to to this. this was so we looked quite regimented and similar ,the same goes with the black t-shirt. the shoes i chose were my doctor martins because I thought these also look regimented and fitted the costume. it gave me some power as they are large shoes that can be linked to soldiers or similar.
the rain coats were a later addition as on the day of our performance it was raining very heavily. we all wore this raincoats and I think that they did actually add to our costumes, the bright yellow made us stand out in the crowds of audience members.

my costume

script for outside in the rose garden(written by me)

Stiff body language ,very awkward atmosphere between them, quite cold with each other almost like complete strangers, cautious with eachother and people around them.
 Rosa: Good afternoon sir. 

Stanley: Good afternoon mam how are you today?

 Rosa: yes im double plus good thank you. A lovely day we have in airstrip one today. Such a shame about this war. Good thing we have the government and the ministry of peace though, without them airstrip one would be chaos with though crime on the rampage.

 Stanley: yes! And imagine, all those thought criminals that claim this war isn’t real.they are the reason we have not won yet. The doubters! We must find them and get rid of them, report any suspected thought crime, they did us a favour. It was for the party! For big brother. 

Rosa: indeed, its very ungood. It makes me feel unsettled and angrythat there are thought criminals still roaming free in our land. It makes me feel even more ungood that I was once considered on of them. What a fool I was. I am so glad they found me out. The party only did it out of the kindness in their hearts. 

Stanley: yes, well thank big brother for though thought police and such. Its double plus good we have the party to protect us in this time of conflict and need.

 Rosa: Yes. It was double plus good talking with you Stanley.

 Stanley: yes you too Rosa.

 Rosa and Stanley go to part ways, Rosa stops and turns back

Rosa: oh and Stanley 

Stanley stops to look back, rosa quickly looks around to make sure not many people are looking and winks and Stanley. They then leave and go their separate ways

timeline for the performance

6:45-  fitness training(things like squats star jumps, general exercise)
7:10- Singing the Spy Youth song with Sam on courtyard
7:15- Teddy Bear training with Sam on the courtyard
7:30- Floating
7:40- Mini Revolution
7:50- Speech
8:00 - Revolution

chloes monologue(written by Chloe)

You must obey him. Our leader is the greatest and we must listen to him and respect his choices of us. We are proud for him to lead Oceania in this winning war and we will stride to victory because of him. Big Brother feeds, gives us a home and he will do this for the rest of are life. If you are a thought criminal or a sex criminal you will be punished and taken to room 101. The people who love our leader will live a long happy life and will have a good job. Keep the leaflets and show how you care for are leader; we need him to help us win the war. He wont let us down he does what is best for us and we have to respect that. If Big Brother falls then so do we and we will fall to raise back again; everything happens for a reason.  Don’t let secret rebels lead you and brain wash you were there is no cure because they are bad people where they only think about themselves and not the whole country…. Helps us find these species of people to stop what they are doing to our society. They are damaging it and soon it won’t be able to be fixed and this could make us lose the war! So all I can say is show your love for are leader and always remember war is peace, freedom is slavery and ignorance is strength. Thank you for listening and remember to take a leaflet…. B..B…B…B…B…B..B

posted with permission from Chloe.

short radio show

Good day, today we will be here another confession to show how big brother cares for you and looks after you. this my is called Stanley and he has commented many crimes in his life. however big brother has helped him to overcome his ways and here is his story......


(Alfie)


My name is Stanley... I have committed serious offence such as thought crime and sex crime. I thought to myself that it was okay think this and behaviour in this manner, but it wasn't. I thought it was okay to commit my hatred towards Big Brother and mentally disobey Big Brother, but it wasn't. Big brother found me in this state and helped me though and I asked them forgive me and they did. I was they found or wise I would still be living like this. so I am encouraging you to love our leader, follow Big Brother and support Big Brother. Thank you for listening to my story. 


(Tobi)


Thank you for listening on are daily confessions Goodbye