1984, by George Orwell: "Big Brother is Back" at the Riverside Theatre

1984 by George Orwell is a dystopian novel published in 1949 that explores themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, censorship, and the manipulation of truth. The story is set in a fictional future society called Oceania, where the government, led by the omnipresent figure Big Brother, exercises total control over every aspect of citizens' lives.

Main Plot:
The protagonist, Winston Smith, works at the Ministry of Truth, where his job is to alter historical records to match the ever-changing party narrative. Despite outwardly conforming, Winston secretly despises the regime and dreams of rebellion. He begins a forbidden love affair with a woman named Julia, and together they attempt to resist the oppressive system.

Key Themes:

• Totalitarianism: The Party controls every aspect of life - including information, thoughts, language and truth. The Party rules by fear and conformity.
• Mass Surveillance: "Big Brother is watching you" symbolises constant government monitoring.
• Propaganda and Reality Control: Through concepts like doublethink and Newspeak, the Party reshapes truth and language to limit free thought.
• Manipulation Through Fear: The Party maintains control largely through fear - of war, of the enemy, of punishment.
• Divide and Conquer: The creation of “us vs. them” narratives fuels division and consolidates power.
• Loss of Individuality: The novel shows how oppressive regimes erase personal identity and autonomy.

1984 is a powerful warning about the dangers of unchecked political power and the erosion of truth and freedom.

Orwell didn’t write 1984 as a prediction, he wrote it as a warning. Its power lies in showing how societies can slowly give up freedom in exchange for security, certainty, or conformity.

What makes it chilling today is how many of those warnings feel familiar, even decades later.

Strap in for an electrifying take on the George Orwell classic – from the multi award winning creative minds at Shake and Stir.

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All remaining tickets discounted to $49. Don't miss out, only a few seats left.
https://lasttix.com.au/deals/1984-at-riverside-theatres-ticket-offer

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6:30pm, Pre-Show Meet & Greet in the Riverside Courtyard.
The Riverside Bar and foyer is open one hour prior to all events. Serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, snacks, sweets and ice cream.

Riverside Bites is a food truck, serving up delicious pre-show bites inside Riverside Theatres’ courtyard. Whether you’re craving a quick snack or a satisfying meal before the curtain rises, our food truck has you covered with mouth-watering options to fuel your night of entertainment.
https://riversideparramatta.com.au/your-visit/food-truck/