XII A-festival: FinnBrit Players (FIN) “1984”

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Description

"1984" is H. Sven Fernandez's stage adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel, following Winston's struggle to hold on to memory, identity and freedom in a totalitarian society under the constant watch of Big Brother.

"1984" is H. Sven Fernandez's stage adaptation of George Orwell's classic novel, following Winston's struggle to hold on to memory, identity and freedom in a totalitarian society under the constant watch of Big Brother. In a rare quiet moment, Winston is haunted by memories of torture and conditioning, out of which a persistent, faceless woman emerges — a figure who may hold the key to his fractured identity and freedom. The production weaves Grotowski's Poor Theatre, Classical Greek Theatre and Brechtian alienation techniques into a richly symbolic, emotionally powerful experience, inviting audiences to draw parallels between Orwell's dystopia and today's surveillance societies.

The show ran for seven sold-out performances (273/273 tickets) at NoName Theatre, Helsinki, in November 2025, earning an average audience rating of 4.9/5 — praised especially for its acting, immersive staging, and sound and lighting design.

Running time: 2 hours with a break.

A-festival is an international theatre festival organised by Tartu Student Theatre, bringing together local and international theatre companies in Tartu from 8–11 October. This year's programme features Tartu Student Theatre's "Devil's Stories," London-based artists Zuza Kurko and Kuba Pawelczak's performance "Dead Truths," dance theatre GrAFiTi's performance "A Perfect Chaos," T-Theatre's "A Distant Light from Luyten," FinnBrit Players' "1984," and Jordi L. Vidal's movement piece "The Crossing." All performances and activities take place at Tartu Student House (Kalevi 24).

The festival is supported by: the City of Tartu, the University of Tartu, and the Estonian Cultural Endowment.

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