1984 Reviews

[LimelightMike]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 12:41pm

Today is Thursday, June 22nd, marking the official opening night performance of 1984 on Broadway at the Hudson.

Best wishes and ample broken limbs to all involved. Post notices here.

Let's discuss! 

[Dysquith13]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 2:37pm

If nothing else, Justin Squiggs released a VERY cool sketch for this.

http://www.broadway.com/buzz/188987/stirring-stage-adaptation-of-iconic-1984-officially-opens-on-broadway/

[thealtoslament]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 7:15pm

Entertainment Weekly gives it a B. Lots of praise for the acting and design, but it "isn’t quite as scary as the world outside the theater."

http://ew.com/theater/2017/06/22/1984-ew-stage-review/?utm_campaign=entertainmentweekly&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&xid=entertainment-weekly_socialflow_twitter

[PepperedShepherd]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 7:35pm

amNewYork is positive, and gives it 3 out of 4 stars.

"[T]his visceral and unpredictable staging is more exciting and effective than this summer’s other politically-oriented productions... " 

http://www.amny.com/entertainment/1984-review-olivia-wilde-and-tom-sturridge-shine-in-exciting-unpredictable-dystopian-play-1.13757082

 

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 7:37pm

Time Out New York gives it a 4 out of 5...
https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/1984

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 7:41pm

The Wrap is positive...
http://www.thewrap.com/1984-broadway-review-big-brother-back-hes-shock-us-senseless/

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 8:11pm

Deadline is positive...
http://deadline.com/2017/06/broadway-review-1984-olivia-wilde-1202118365/

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 8:18pm

Vulture seems mixed-to-positive...
http://www.vulture.com/2017/06/theater-review-how-orwellian-is-1984.html

[froote]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 8:43pm

I'd call Vulture mixed-to-negative or at least just mixed. He only really likes the last 40 mins and Reed Birney.

Updated On: 6/22/17 at 08:43 PM

[froote]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 9:09pm

Isherwood is negative.

http://broadway.news/2017/06/22/review/1984-review/

[froote]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 9:11pm

NBC New York is mixed-to-negative.

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/the-scene/Revew-Tom-Sturridge-Olivia-Wilde-Eighty-Four-430171283.html

[froote]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 9:40pm

Bloomberg is positive.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-23/1984-broadway-review

[froote]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 9:41pm

Newsday is mixed-to-positive.

http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/theater/1984-review-tom-sturridge-olivia-wilde-in-orwell-s-still-pertinent-story-1.13753366

[froote]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 9:42pm

New York Daily News is mixed-to-negative.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/theater-arts/1984-brings-big-brother-broadway-review-article-1.3269555

[Dysquith13]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 9:42pm

Considering the reviews on here, these are definitely better reviews than I expected.

[froote]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 10:04pm

The Stage gives it 4 out of 5 stars.

https://www.thestage.co.uk/reviews/2017/486359/

[thealtoslament]

Posted: 6/22/17 at 10:14pm

Brantley reviews for NYT, is mixed-to-negative on it. 

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/22/theater/1984-review-broadway.html?rref=collection%2Fsectioncollection%2Ftheater&action=click&contentCollection=theater&region=stream&module=stream_unit&version=latest&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

[froote]

Posted: 6/23/17 at 12:10am

Overall better than expected. No real consensus but there at least seems to be a level of admiration from even the more negative reviews.

[@z5]

Posted: 6/23/17 at 12:49am

Really want to win one of those TodayTix lottery seats for this!!! Been wanting to see this ever since it was officially announced to be coming to B'way. These reviews, for the most part, also really aren't too bad. I was expecting worse based on a lot of opinions I've seen here over the last few weeks.

[Wee Thomas2]

Posted: 6/23/17 at 8:29am

Dysquith13 said: "Considering the reviews on here, these are definitely better reviews than I expected.

 

"

 

Exactly my thoughts.  We had been considering this for next week, then saw the reviews here and crossed it off, but now we're reconsidering

 

[3NU]

Posted: 6/23/17 at 9:44am

FYI regarding the newly-announced age restriction for this show, a welcome change in my book. 

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/No-1984-After-2004-Broadway-Production-Announces-Age-Restriction-20170621

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/26/17 at 10:48pm

Finally saw it this evening. An intense piece. The loud noises and flashes of light were not bad at all. The set change was incredible. Room 101 was not that had either but it was quite graphic in a few ways.

I think it is well worth seeing. You kind of have to hang with it for the first half as it is confusing. So glad I got a chance to see it and you could feel the audience was into it. You could hear a pin drop.

Also got to go back and onstage after. That was pretty cool. Seems that during the transition to room 101 it is craziness with costume changes. It was also cool seeing how the set broke apart.

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/26/17 at 10:48pm

Double post

Updated On: 9/27/17 at 10:48 PM

[Broadway Joe]

Posted: 9/27/17 at 1:35am

I was also there tonight, I finally gave up trying to win the lotto and just got tickets on TDF since there's not much time left to see it. I really enjoyed it, most of the book came back to me during the show. I've been avoiding spoilers but after reading the warnings about not allowing anyone under 13 and seeing a few comments here and there I was actually expecting it to be even more graphic.

I'm probably going to end up  reading the novel again while it's still fresh in my mind. I do think it's amazing that this novel really predicted a lot of this big brother stuff and as soon as you walk back outside the theatre you remember we are basically being filmed at all times nowadays. 

I actually really liked the use of the cameras for the off stage scenes, it's not something I would want to see done a lot but I thought it was really clever for this show especially for what it eventually leads to. I thought the acting was really good too, especially Wilde and Reed and even more so Reed in 101.

My gf didn't enjoy it anywhere as much as I did though but she didn't hate it either.

All in all for me a fantastic start to kick off the new season for me, it felt great to be back at the theatre since I haven't had much to see over the summer since I've seen almost everything currently open on Broadway. 

[uncageg]

Posted: 9/27/17 at 1:59am

Reed in 101 was downright sinister and frightening. In that smooth quiet way. I was in the first row of the balcony and it was interesting catching some of the reactions of people in the front orchestra. Particularly the lady front row second seat in on the right. Her jand went up to her face about 45 minutes in and never came down. And even with the subject matter, 3 people were checking their phones diring the performance.

While sitting in the dress circle lounge waiting for my friend, a cast member was talking about how they film the other room. It seems a lot goes on backstage. There is even running back and forth beneath the stage.

That line about people not pulling teir faces away from a screen really hit home and was chilling. A good night of theater.

I really meed to read the book. I walked out with questions as to where this was all happening and when.

Updated On: 9/27/17 at 01:59 AM