I spoke to Nelle Lee, actor and artistic director of theatre company ‘Shake and Stir’ about her upcoming visit to Tasmania with her adaptation of George Orwell’s ‘1984’.
‘Shake & Stir ‘is a contemporary theatre company that creates new works. It also devotes much time visiting schools including those in Tasmania.
Nelle says the company visits Tasmania every year for conferences or for teaching in schools and to my question of ‘what she likes about Tasmania’:
“what’s not to like about Tasmania”
The futuristic story of ‘1984’ is no longer so futuristic and Nelle says Orwell would be amazed at just how accurate his visionary voice was. This was a vision before CC TV was heard of and yet it was practically predicted in this novel that they say on their site is ‘bringing the past into the present’, a world where nowadays camera and digital devices are easy to access.
Its an irony says Nelle, that people are lining up to be part of the ‘Big Brother’ TV show, much more benign force than Orwell’s big brother , a completely controlling force that his hero Winston rebels to escape.
Nelle is largely responsible for creating this piece and says she enjoys the input of other cast and the director’s advice of tightening up’ scenes and of course of being part of the challenge and beauty of live theatre.
Nelle says writing is different to acting in that she must have a concept of the entire story.
‘Shake and Stir’ will again visit Tasmania with school productions of ‘Words,, Words, Words’ in July and will also have a moral based production similar to 1984 that explores the issue of bullying and a production or’ Romeo and Juliet ‘visiting schools.
The group also does a ‘Shake and Stir’ Shakespeare a version in 50 minutes which includes the major parts of the play but also makes it digestible to audiences so as to engage them..
Next up for Nelle and ‘Shake and Stir’ is a production in Brisbane in October of ‘Wuthering Heights’ in which Nelle plays Isabella..
I ask does Nelle get an ephiphany that a piece of theatre is ready for an audience ? She wisely says ‘not until opening night’.
You can see ‘Shake and Stir’ adaptation of George Orwell’s ‘1984’ at the Theatre Royal on
Thursday, 26th June 2014 – 7:30pm
Friday, 27th June 2014 – 7:30pm
Saturday, 28th June 2014 – 7:30pm
Paula Xiberras
