Fahrenheit 451 @ Bedlam

The characters are frozen onstage, ready for our arrival before we sit down, pausing for awkward silences and gazing out: forcing the audience to experience a sense of intense involvement in the story. While protagonist Montag is initially guarded, showing little emotion we see him unravel as he meets a free-spirited young girl who questions the system. Wife Mildred is fun to watch in all her high-pitched hysteria and stupidity as she obsessively watches television and grows to fear her husband’s strange and independent behaviour. Montag’s boss, Beatty, is menacing and gritty dialogue between the two bubbles over to emerge as a high point of the performance.

The narrative between characters itself feels a little rushed as Montag goes from loyal subject of the strict governmental system to sudden revolt in such a conforming and regimented society.The twenty or so television-sized screens lining the rear of the stage project Saul Bass-style stop-animation silhouettes to guide us through the story. Crackling fire, rain, bookshelves and the skyline are depicted on these screens but always distorted and angular, constantly emitting a sense of unease to support the story itself.

Unquestionably difficult to stage, Bedlam managed to deliver a futuristic dystopia and while the performance rarely surprises or awes it is convincing and entertaining.