George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four, perhaps the quintessential dystopian novel, now has its own audio adaption. 1984 is available now on Audible and features a who’s who of top quality acting behind the microphone. With Andrew Garfield in the lead role as Winston and Oscar-nominated Cynthia Erivo as Julia, the cast list is filled out by stars including Andrew Scott as O’Brien, Tom Hardy as Big Brother himself, and Romesh Ranganathan as Parsons.
Adding to the big names involved are Muse’s Matthew Bellamy and composer Ilan Eshkeri, who created the original score, performed by the London Metropolitan Orchestra, turning 1984 into what Audible are calling “an immersive listening experience”.
Originally written in the 1940s as a critique of life under both communism and fascism, 1984 follows Winston Smith, a citizen of the superstate Oceania ruled over by the elusive, always watching Big Brother. Working in the Ministry of Truth rewriting history, Winston becomes disillusioned with the Party and seeks out ways to rebel. Released exactly 40 years after Winston’s first diary entry, the new audio adaptation comes with the endorsement of Orwell’s estate.
The adaption of a popular classic is part of a broader move into podcasting for Audible, who also offer French & Saunders: Titting About, Educating Daisy with Daisy May Cooper, and Jack Whitehall’s Safe Space.
