Civic Theatre, Darlington – 10 November 2015
“O brave new world, that hath such people in it!”
Aldous Huxley wrote Brave New World in 1931 after visiting Billingham in the North East, so this was almost a homecoming for the play.
This was Brave New Theatre, confidently and concisely adapted from page to stage by the Touring Consortium Theatre Company.
The play paints a picture of life that revolves around the idea of totalitarianism and is set in a futuristic world where a combination of science and pleasure form humanity. Society has evolved to take away all feelings of negativity. Genetic engineering has advanced to a level where people are no longer born but despatched from the London Hatchery and Conditioning Centre where people are engineered to be either Alpha, Beta, Delta, Gamma or Epsilon, resulting in a pre-ordained caste system consisting of intelligent humans suited to the highest positions and conversely, serf-like beings genetically programmed to carry out menial works. In this world of Alphas, Betas, Gammas, Deltas and the unfortunate Epsilons, exists drug-induced happiness, caused by what is known as soma. Here, “everyone belongs to everyone else” emphasising the system of forced promiscuity, brainwashed into the people from the moment of birth.
The outstanding cast executed major scenes expertly, with just 10 actors playing a multitude of different characters. Gruffudd Glyn performed an excellent interpretation of protagonist Bernard Marx, a man unexpectedly born into the role of an ‘Alpha’, but dogged by the idea that it’s a caste in which he doesn’t quite belong.
Like all great plays, we saw a love story bloom, ultimately challenging order, stability and happiness as beta girl Lenina (Olivia Morgan) falls for John the Savage, played by the captivating William Postlethwaite, whose charisma dominated the stage. Desperate for a familiar and comfortable narrative of ‘boy meets girl’, the tension in the play builds as audiences realise that this is not possible.
In a clash of worlds, ideologies and beliefs, the play was built to a catastrophic and shocking climax, with the tragedy on stage appearing so shockingly real. There is an overwhelming sense of comfort and “happiness” within society that is brought about through two important things: recreational drugs and psychological conditioning. Death, relationships, class differences and work do not provide worry. Because society does indeed work for the good of everyone in a hedonistic sense, the logic behind the system can only be challenged by pure human instinct
Using the theatre’s stage to its full potential, three words, Order, Stability, Happiness, were blazoned across the stage before the opening scene; highlighting the main themes of the play, with each one ultimately breaking into chaos.
Dawn King’s adaptation, James Dacre’s direction, Naomi Dawson’s design along with Colin Grenfell’s lighting, Eddie Kay’s choreography and George Dennis’ sound which enhances the original music from These New Puritans all work together to set the scene. This adaptation did the book great justice, with phenomenal performances, a strong narrative and relevant themes.It has impact, its thought provoking, sensual but sensitive and surreal but disturbingly authentic
Whether you have read the book or not this production is worth a visit for the amazing acting and disturbing reality of our future. In Darlington until Saturday 14th November and on tour around the UK