Where & When
25 Feb 2027, 19:30
Gosforth Civic Theatre, Gosforth Civic Theatre, Regent Farm Rd, Gosforth, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 3HD, UK
What to expect
Presented by Box Tale Soup
‘To the future or to the past, to a time when thought is free: From the age of uniformity, from the age of Big Brother, from the age of doublethink… greetings!’
Award winning Box Tale Soup present a stunning new adaptation of Orwell’s dystopian classic. Known for their ingenious sets and slick storytelling, Box Tale Soup’s unique puppetry becomes a striking metaphor for Orwell’s chilling vision of power and control.
The year is 1984, perhaps - it is impossible to tell for certain. We are being watched, Big Brother is everywhere, truth changes daily, and everyone conforms. But for Winston Smith, insignificant cog in the Party’s vast machine, this half-life is not enough. He dreams of freedom, but is he the only one? Dreams can be deadly when rebellion begins with a thought.
Featuring the voices of Sophie Aldred & Joanna Lumley, with Simon Russell Beale as the voice of Big Brother.
Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Official Sell Out Show
“They are wonderful.” The Times
★★★★ “..inspired..” The Scotsman
★★★★★ “..horrifyingly brilliant.” Scotsgay Arts
★★★★ “A faithful, frightening adaptation.” The List
★★★★★ “..thought-provoking, striking production..” British Theatre Guide
★★★★★ “[their] superb production is alarmingly prescient.” Broadway Baby
★★★★★ “The staging and performances are astonishing.” Starburst Magazine
★★★★★ “..a stunning new rendition of this classic story..” Speak the Speech
★★★★★ “..a lean and impactful piece of theatre.” London Theatre Doc
★★★★★ “..powerful adaptation..” Bouquets & Brickbats
★★★★ “..simply genius..” North West End
Audience Comments
(A sample of Audience Reviews for 1984 at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe)
“Phenomenal. Outstanding production in every way.”
“This was the most amazing mind-blowing piece of theatre.”
“Just wow! What an incredible and haunting production of Orwell’s classic.”
“I love everything that Box Tale Soup have done previously and this is possibly their best production so far.”
“I'd urge everyone to see this! So powerful.”
"Superb - an absolute must-see.”
“..nothing short of GENIUS.”
100 mins including interval. 12+ This show contains sexual references and distressing or potentially triggering themes including references to incarceration and torture.
This is a seated event
We have three main seated layouts for shows.
floor seating with or without cabaret tables on floor level only [up to 100 capacity],
or seating rake only [up to 119 capacity],
or both seating rake with floor seating in front (in rows, or with or without cabaret tables) [up to 200 capacity].
Every seat on floor level and the first row on our seating rake is accessible to those who require a wheelchair space, an ambulant seat, or those who don’t have any access requirements. Thus, they will be bookable under the same ticket type and unreserved. When buying your tickets, we ask you to declare if you have any access requirements at the checkout so we can reserve any seats or space for those who need them.
Seating rake-only events: These events tend to be theatre or dance performances performed on floor level or film screenings. The front row of our seating rake can be made into wheelchair spaces (up to 2) or ambulant seats (up to 4).
Family shows will have space for floor seating in front of the seating rake for little ones to get closer to the action.
Companion tickets
Carer/PA/Essential companion tickets are available for all events. They are limited to one per ticket order and can be booked by emailing info@gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk and quoting the event name, booking reference on your ticket order and information you’re comfortable sharing on why a companion ticket is required.
Ticketing.
Buying tickets
You can buy tickets for advertised shows, events or activities by visiting our website. While all GCT promoted events and some selected third party promoted events will be available to purchase in person at the Theatre, some third party promoted events will only be available to buy online.
Fees
A booking fee applies per ticket when booking online through our ticketing platform; booking fees may vary when booking through other third party sites.
Concessions and carers
Concession tickets are available to people with disabilities, OAPs, under 18s and Asylum Seekers. We will endeavour to provide free tickets to carers where possible. Please contact us directly if you require carer's ticket.
Child and family tickets
A child is classed as anyone under the age of 14, and Family Tickets, where advertised, apply to a family of four where there is at least one adult and one child in the group. Babes in Arms, up to the age of 12 months, go free at all of our family shows.
Refunds
Refunds are only available up to 28 days before the date of GCT promoted events, otherwise refunds are at the discretion of the promoter. If an event must be postponed, rescheduled or cancelled, tickets purchased for the event will be valid for any new date agreed with the artist/promoter, and the ticket buyer entitled to a full refund if they are unable to attend the new date.
Receiving your tickets
We do not print physical tickets in house and instead email you a copy of your tickets. You can show us your tickets on a mobile device or simply give us the name of the lead booker when you arrive at the Theatre for the event. If receiving tickets from third party sites ran by external promoters (Seetickets/Wegottickets/ Ticket Source/ DICE etc you may need to provide your ticket for scanning.
Visiting us.
Accessibility
We are a fully accessible venue; all entrances are wheelchair accessible and automatic, there is an accessible toilet on the premises and each area of the building is on one level. Please let us know if you have any questions about access and find out how we can assist.
Carer’s go free, limited to one carer’s ticket per booking – order directly from the venue.
Ticket buyers can inform Gosforth Civic Theatre of any access requirements in the checkout for tickets or by emailing info@gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk.
Your journey and parking
Gosforth Civic Theatre is right next to (literally 2 minutes walk from) Regent Centre Metro Station and Bus Interchange, which means we're on a host of major transport links including Tyne & Wear Metro, Arriva, Stagecoach and Go North East bus services and via car from Great North Road. Please visit our YOUR VISIT section of our website to find directions and the best way to arrive at GCT.
We have a small, free car park but this will be very busy and part reserved for artists and staff, so it's best to avoid planning on parking directly at the venue. Please keep this in mind if you're driving over; we detail alternative parking on our YOUR VISIT page so check it out!