George Orwell’s chilling dystopian classic 1984 will come alive on stage this March at Teatru Manoel in a new adaptation that promises to immerse audiences in a world of surveillance, control, and fragile truth.

Presented as part of the theatre’s TOI TOI Classics programme, the production is directed by Petra Sant and based on the powerful stage version by Robert Icke and Duncan Macmillan.

More than seventy years after its publication, Orwell’s story remains strikingly relevant. The play follows Winston Smith, portrayed by Edward Caruana Galizia, a low-ranking Party member who begins to question the totalitarian regime that monitors every thought and action. His secret relationship with Julia, played by Tina Rizzo, becomes a quiet act of rebellion with devastating consequences.

Petra Sant’s interpretation explores the emotional and moral complexity of the narrative through a fractured structure that shifts between the Present, Memory, and a Meta-Space of Observation, highlighting how power distorts reality and identity.

Led by Manager Kate Fenech Field, TOI TOI Classics aims to spark critical thought through bold theatrical works. Featuring a strong ensemble cast and innovative design, 1984 runs from 6th to 8th March and 14th and 15th March.

The production is recommended for ages 14 and over, with tickets available online or at the box office.

Will you be watching this rendition of ‘1984’?