Debesh to Return George Orwell on Stage

RBN Web Desk: Debesh Chattopadhyay is all set to return George Orwell in a new production to be staged later this month. Debesh, this time, has adapted Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984 for the production. The novel was published in 1949, where the popular English author, known for his anti-establishment prose, had tried to predict what the world would become four decades years down the line. Orwell, weaving the narrative in a science fiction, had highlighted the state of affairs under a totalitarian regime.

Speaking to the media, the actor-director said that his play is not a direct adaptation of Orwell’s novel. Rather, it’s about how the novel has been interpreted over the years, since it was published. He has not set any timeline for the play. It could be 1956 or 2084, Debesh said, adding that the content of the play is relevant to any year. The production is titled 1984? and the question mark has been deliberately added at the end of the name, to not restrict the timeline, he added.

1984? is Debesh’s first production for theatre group Swapnasandhani. Stage and film actor Kaushik Sen had steered the group since its founding. He recently handed over the reins to Debesh. The cast largely comprises of youngsters. Kaushik, his wife Reshmi and son Riddhi, will not be seen in the play.

1984? will be staged in Kolkata on 27 May.