Fresh off the back of a successful national tour of Frankenstein, Shake & Stir Theatre Co’s has announced its star-studded cast for the 2025 national tour of George Orwell’s dystopian novel, 1984. The new production is another thrilling venture that’s ready to keep audiences on the edge of their seats with its intense narrative and dramatic execution.
Leading the cast is Michael Whalley, known for his role in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, who will step into the shoes of Winston Smith. Chloe Bayliss, known from Doctor Doctor, will play Julia. David Whitney, a seasoned actor from The Wharf Revue and My Fair Lady, will return as O’Brien, alternating the role with Tony Cogin, who recently starred in Frankenstein. Completing the lineup are Steven Rooke, seen in Fourteen and Animal Farm, and Abhilash Kaimal, known for Nautilus.
The adaptation remains faithful to Orwell’s original narrative and explores themes of surveillance, truth manipulation, and the risks of resistance in the fictional state of Oceania. It has been crafted by Shake & Stir’s Co-Artistic Directors Nelle Lee and Nick Skubij. Michael Futcher will direct, with a creative team that includes award-winning professionals such as Josh McIntosh as Designer, Jason Glenwright as Lighting Designer, Guy Webster on Sound, and Craig Wilkinson in charge of Video Design.
Nick Skubij shared, “The parallels between Orwell’s world and our own are striking—not just in politics, but across all aspects of modern life. His exploration of fear and control is something we were eager to bring to the stage and we are thrilled to have assembled a brilliant cast that will tear into this powerful piece of theatre.
David Whitney, who is reprising his role, shared, “I am “double plus” excited to be reprising the role of O’Brien in Shake & Stir’s thrilling adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984 – this production remains a highlight of my career. I can’t wait to revisit the dystopian world we created so effectively and to re-explore its terrifying complexities with a new lens in 2025.
Performing 1984 today is more than revisiting a classic—it’s a wake-up call. Orwell’s message has never been more urgent, and I can’t wait for audiences to experience it again.”
The tour will cover over 30 venues across Australia, including Sydney’s Glen Street Theatre from the 15th to the 17th of May, the Canberra Theatre Centre from the 5th to the 7th of June, the Adelaide Festival Centre from the 26th to the 28th of June, and concludes at Melbourne’s Comedy Theatre from the 1st to the 6th of July.
With its stark portrayal of a totalitarian regime and its chilling insight into the power of oppressive governance, 1984 will remind audiences of the enduring power of Orwell’s cautionary tale.
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