George Orwell’s 1984

4.7/5

Critic Rating

From the age of uniformity. From the age of solitude and doublethink. From the age of Big Brother. From me, Winston Smith. Greetings. It’s 1984, and life has changed beyond recognition. Airstrip One, formerly known as Great Britain, is a place where Big Brother is always watching, and nobody can hide. Except, perhaps, for Winston Smith. Whilst working at the Ministry of Truth, rewriting history, he secretly dreams of freedom. And in a world where love and sex are forbidden, where it’s hard to distinguish between friend and foe, he meets Julia and O’Brien and vows to rebel. Starring Andrew Garfield as Winston, Cynthia Erivo as Julia, Andrew Scott as the alluring, mysterious O’Brien, and featuring Tom Hardy as Big Brother, Audible presents a new dramatization of George Orwell’s classic tale. An immersive listening experience like none you’ve heard before, at a time when it has all never felt more chillingly relevant. Featuring a haunting original score composed by Muse’s lead singer and songwriter Matthew Bellamy and Ilan Eshkeri, recorded by the London Metropolitan Orchestra at Abbey Road Studios, the production is directed by BAFTA Award winner Destiny Ekaragha, produced in Dolby Atmos by Granny Eats Wolf, and dramatised by Olivier Award nominated writer Joe White. Also starring Chukwudi Iwuji, Romesh Ranganathan, Natasia Demetriou, Francesca Mills, Alex Lawther and Katie Leung. Featuring Ian Abeysekera, Rachel Atkins, Grace Baker, Joanna Brookes, Clare Corbett, Doug Devaney, Imogen Front, Sam Garioch, Raj Ghatak, Frances Jeater, Mason Moore, Yasmin Mwanza, Harry Myers, Kaelum Nelson, John Sackville, Sienna Sangha, Sam Stafford, Jo Troy, Jenny White, Sarah Whitehouse & Alix Wilton Regan This adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984 is an immersive listening experience, containing scenes that some may find uncomfortable. Listener discretion is advised.


Critic Reviews

Score: 4

Kelly Apter • The List May 10, 2024

"The confessional nature of Winston’s diary entries feel whispered, hurried and dangerous. So too his rebellious thoughts about the manipulative diktats of The Party. Garfield executes these perfectly, leaning into the microphone for breathy moments of personal disclosure, then moving away with a cheery disposition for fake interactions with colleagues."

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Score: 5

Patricia Nicol • The Times UK Apr 7, 2024

"The electro score is notable too: the Muse frontman Matt Bellamy has collaborated with the composer Ilan Eshkeri."

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Score: 5

Hollie Richardson • The Guardian Apr 4, 2024

"...with a mega-cast and production like this it is classic storytelling at its finest. "

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