Wisconsin Lutheran College presents George Orwell's "1984"

October 16, 2006

MILWAUKEE - War is peace, freedom is slavery and ignorance is strength.  The Wisconsin Lutheran College theatre department presents an adaptation of George Orwell's classic tale of political terror, "1984," November 3-4 at 8 p.m., November 5 at 3 p.m. and November 9-11 at 8 p.m. in the Raabe Theatre. 

Directed by Professor Jan Nelson, "1984" tells the story of Oceania, a community whose will has been dashed by the constant onslaught of propaganda and fear administered by their leader - Big Brother.  Citizens are arrested for thought-crime and are aware that their leader is always watching.  Winston Smith remembers that things were once different, and when he meets Julia, a fellow worker at the Ministry of Truth, he finds he is not alone in his thinking.  When they begin to trust that O'Brian, a party official, is also "one of them," they soon learn that trust is a precious commodity. 

Although the year 1984 has come and gone, the story's political and social warnings are as timely today as ever. " I do not believe that the kind of society I describe necessarily will arrive, but I believe that something resembling it could arrive," said Orwell. " The moral to be drawn from the dangerous nightmare situation is a simple one: Don't let it happen.  It depends on you." 

The Raabe Theatre is located in the college's Center for Arts and Performance at 8815 West Wisconsin Avenue.  Tickets are $8, $7 seniors and $5 students/children.  For further information, please call the box office at (414) 443-8802.  Tickets may be purchased online at wlc.edu/arts. 

Since 1996, the Wisconsin Lutheran College Center for Arts and Performance has been providing a comprehensive program of performing and visual arts and educational and community events for students and the people of southeastern Wisconsin.