ORWELL – The Road to 1984

Through Orwell’s words, experience the stories that led to his greatest work.

Invited back by popular demand following his performances of Jekyll & Hyde (Nov 2022 & ‘24) and Macready! Dickens’ Theatrical Friend (Nov 2023 & ‘25), Mark Stratford returns to The Studio with another highly acclaimed show: Orwell – The Road to 1984.

The play tells the compelling story of one of the greatest writers of the 20th century and the extraordinary personal experiences that inspired his classic tales Animal Farm and Nineteen Eighty-Four.

These classic tales which warn of the dangers of totalitarianism – erosion of free speech, abuse of power, increasing control of all aspects of our lives – resonate now more than ever.

But where did his vision of the future come from?

In this powerful and moving play, Stratford takes you on a fascinating journey through the extraordinary experiences that shaped the work of this legendary writer.

In this age of misinformation, political extremism and digital surveillance, Orwell: The Road to 1984 is a play for our time.

Adapted and directed by Guy Smith, the show began its life at Questors as a QExtra performance in July 2025. The show is now touring to various venues around the UK.