3 min readDiscover the hidden thrills of Manchester Central Library under the cover of darkness and be taken on a unique journey within – in the form of a new interactive theatre experience inspired by Nineteen Eighty Four, George Orwell’s darkly dystopian novel.
2084 is a thrilling new immersive theatre production which will take place after-hours in the library itself, plunging participants into a totalitarian state …a state that is watching.
This is a place where citizens are subject to constant monitoring, as is the case in Orwell’s book– and in the current age of social media updates and digital corporations, is it really that far from our own reality? The modern-day norms of analysers, influencers, trends… suddenly seem so much more terrifying.
According to 2084's writer Adam Taub:
"Orwell's novel shocked readers with its vision of the future. 2084 updates that vision and explores how fragile are the freedoms that we take for granted."
Dare to step into the Ministry of Truth? 2084 will take place in Manchester Central Library on Friday and Saturday evenings from 22 November to 14 December with performances at 6.30pm and 9.00pm. Tickets are priced £20 and available from www.immersive2084.com.
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Presented by Pure Expression – the immersive theatre company that brought a sell-out version of Frankenstein to the library in 2018 – 2084 is set to be an adventurous production with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
2084 has also been designed specifically for Manchester Central Library – making the most of the extraordinary space and atmospheric architecture, overlooking St Peter's Square. The building, constructed between 1930 and 1934, appears to be inspired by the Pantheon of Ancient Rome and was designed by E. Vincent Harris. Its tall ceilings, Corinthian columns and domed reading room create a powerful presence. The library is a place that has also inspired a number of literary responses in its own right, including 'The Blue Notebooks' – a short story with a distinctly eerie quality, written by Nicholas Royle (Reader at The Manchester Writing School, Manchester Metropolitan University - read the full Haunt Manchester interview with him here).
Directed by Joe Hufton (Secret Cinema, Alice’s Adventures Underground, Les Enfants Terrible), it also features an original soundscape composed by Dom James (Bompass & Barr), as well as a live performance by Manchester soul singer Charlie Cooper (Needs Must). Along with actors Marie Sam Newman, Richard Hahlo and Hannah Hoad, this the team taking audiences into unnerving other-world… but who will emerge? There will even be a Party Bar open 30 minutes before showtime, so participants can drink in the impressive surroundings – and perhaps even settle their nerves!
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As 2084 will take place after the library has closed and darkness sets in outside, this really is an opportunity to explore this Grade II* listed location like never before.
Image 1: James Chadderton. Rest of photographs: Paul Husband (a photographer featured in Haunt's 'A selection of photographers celebrating Manchester's underground culture' here)
