OCTAVIUS THEATRE COMPANY

1984 by George Orwell

Orwell’s Dystopian Masterpiece

WINSTON (Lloyd Mitchell, left), JULIA (Emily Hobbs, centre) and PARSONS (Luke Berryman, right) engage in the “Two Minute Hate” aimed at a video of GOLDSTEIN (Adam Goldwater, background). Photo credit: Natasha Turner.

SALFORD ARTS THEATRE, 6TH & 7TH JUNE 2026

1984 by George Orwell was Octavius Theatre Company’s comeback show after a hiatus following the critically acclaimed “Henry’s End” in 2022. Bigger, more complex and more powerful than anything the company had produced before, 1984 by George Orwell was a thrilling success.

A show with a dedicated original soundtrack, it was described as having inspired blocking, complex and compelling performances as well as intriguing tech. The show was the best selling show the company has done to date.

Amazing, emotional performances by the leads Lloyd Mitchell (WINSTON) and Emily Hobbs (JULIA) where expertly punctuated by the sinister contrasts of Billie Hindle (O’BRIEN) and Luke Cheadle (CHARRINGTON) amidst a roster of compelling supporting actors such as Luke Berryman (PARSONS), Charlie Hindle (SYME), Pippa Fitt (MRS PARSONS) and Jack Taylor (OLD MAN).

In addition, a host of pre-recorded roles such as Ashton Taylor (BIG BROTHER), Adam Goldwater (GOLDSTEIN) and Anusia Battersby (TELESCREEN OPERATOR) really pulled Orwell’s dystopian world together.

Please see below for a gallery of shots taken from the first performance on 6th June as well as full caast and crew details. Double click photos to enlarge. All photo credit: Natasha Turner of NT Media.

CONTENT WARNINGS: Guns, torture, choking, rats, electrocution, vomit, imprisonment, surveillance, oppression, physical violence, police, kissing, physical intimacy.

SPOILER WARNING: This gallery cotnains spoilers for the book “Nineteen Eighty-Four” by George Orwell.

WINSTON (Lloyd Mitchell) dreams of being in the Golden Country
WINSTON is dragged back into reality by comrades from the Ministry of Truth. SYME (Charlie Hindle, left), JULIA (Emily Hobbs, centre), PARSONS (Luke Berryman, centre-right) and O’BRIEN (Billie Hindle, far-right).
The Comrades perform the Two Minute Hate for BIG BROTHER (Ashton Taylor)
JULIA leads the hate.
WINSTON writes in his secret diary.
JULIA approaches WINSTON in a dream.
SYME chastises WINSTON for his lack of faith in party doctrine.
PARSONS annoys SYME
PARTY MEMBERS (Pippa Fitt and Luke Cheadle) converse near a Telescreen.
Two PROLES (Luke Berryman and Charlie Hindle) converse in the street.
WINSTON talks to an OLD MAN (Jack Taylor, right)
WINSTON makes friends with CHARRINGTON (Luke Cheadle, right)
O’BRIEN looms over WINSTON in a dream
WINSTON helps JULIA up.
WINSTON is harassed by PARTY MEMBERS as time passes.
WINSTON and JULIA meet under the guise of attending a mob crowd.
WINSTON and JULIA meet in the woods.
WINSTON and JULIA kiss in the woods.
JULIA lectures WINSTON on the nature of society.
JULIA and WINSTON joke together.
PARONS lectures WINSTON.
JULIA puts on makeup and perfume for WINSTON
O’BRIEN convinces WINSTON to meet.
JULIA comforts WINSTON
JULIA and WINSTON meet with O’BRIEN and his SERVANT (Jack Taylor, centre-left).
O’BRIEN warns WINSTON and JULIA about the risks of being in The Brotherhood.
WINSTON is handed a secret package by a PARTY MEMBER (Pippa Fitt)
WINSTON reads GOLDSTEIN’s book whilst JULIA sleeps.
A WASHER WOMAN washes. (Pippa Fitt)
WINSTON and JULIA admire the WASHER WOMAN
CHARRINGTON betrays WINSTON and JULIA
A PRISONER (Jack Taylor) throws up.
SYME is punished by CHARRINGTON
PARSONS laments having supposedly committed thoughtcrime.,
PARSONS pleads to WINSTON
BUMSTEAD (Pippa Fitt, left) and WINSTON look in horror as PRISONER is beaten.
CHARRINGTON chokes the PRISONER
O’BRIEN betrays WINSTON
BUMSTEAD cowers whilst CHARRINGTON beats WINSTON.
O’BRIEN begins WINSTON’s interrogation.
WINSTON is tortured by O’BRIEN and CHARRINGTON
O’BRIEN admonishes WINSTON
O’BRIEN tries a “friendlier” approach
WINSTON struggles to co-operate.
O’BRIEN explains party doctrine
O’BRIEN looks down on WINSTON
O’BRIEN shows WINSTON himself in a mirror.
O’BRIEN admonishes WINSTON for deception.
O’BRIEN in Room 101
CHARRINGTON trains his pistol on WINSTON in-front of a rat cage in Room 101.
WINSTON is confronted with the torture of rats,.
WINSTON sits alone playing chess after his release.
WINSTON salutes BIG BROTHER.
The cast bow.

CAST:

Lloyd Mitchell – Winston
Emily Hobbs – Julia
Billie Hindle – O’Brien
Pippa Fitt – Mrs Parsons
Luke Berryman – Parsons
Charlie Hindle – Syme
Luke Cheadle – Charrington
Jack Taylor – Old Man
Adam Goldwater – Goldstein
Ashton Taylor – Big Brother
Anusia Battersby – Telescreen Operator
Nicholas Eccles as JONES, Thomas Livesy as RUTHERFORD and Kieron Moore as AARONSON

Full Cast and Crew Details:

CAST:
  • Lloyd Mitchell – WINSTON SMITH
  • Emily Hobbs – JULIA, VOICE OF PARSONS’ SON
  • Billie Hindle – O’BRIEN, TELESCREEN VOICE 2
  • Pippa Fitt – MRS PARSONS, PARTY MEMBER 1, WASHER WOMAN, BUMSTEAD
  • Luke Berryman – PARSONS, PROLE 1, THOUGHT POLICE OFFICER 1
  • Charlie Hindle – SYME, PROLE 2, THOUGHT POLICE OFFICER 2, TELESCREEN VOICE 4
  • Luke Cheadle – CHARRINGTON, PARTY MEMBER 2, GUARD, TELESCREEN VOICE 1
  • Jack Taylor – OLD MAN, SERVANT, PRISONER
  • Ashton Taylor – BIG BROTHER
  • Adam Goldwater – GOLDSTEIN
  • Anusia Battersby – TELESCREEN VOICE 3, DREAMSCAPE WOMEN
  • Kieron Moore – JONES
  • Nicholas Eccles – AARONSON
  • Thomas Livesy – RUTHERFORD

  • Swing – Adam Goldwater
CREW:
  • Producer – Billie Hindle
  • Director – Billie Hindle
  • Assistant Director – Luke Cheadle
  • Author – George Orwell
  • Lighting Desk – Adam Emre Fidan
  • Sound Desk – John Tatlock
  • 3rd Technician – Adam Goldwater
  • Lighting Focus/Rigging – Scott Berry
  • Script Editors – Billie Hindle, Luke Cheadle, Charlie Hindle
  • Graphic Design – Charlie Hindle, Billie Hindle
  • Composers – Billie Hindle, Holly Jones
  • Set Design – Luke Cheadle, Billie Hindle, Emily Hobbs
  • Costume Managers – Billie Hindle, Luke Cheadle
  • Makeup Artists – Charlie Hindle, Emily Hobbs, Jack Taylor
  • Prop Manager – Luke Cheadle
  • Video Editor – Billie Hindle
  • Sound Designer – Billie Hindle
  • Marketing Manager – Billie Hindle
  • Public Relations Manager – Billie Hindle
  • Photographers – Natasha Turner, Billie Hindle, Ashton Taylor, Adam Goldwater

Special thanks to: ARTCH Studios, Roni Ellis, Salford Arts Theatre, Rebecca Cheadle, Ryan Croughan, Minor Spillage Productions