Junayd Islam breaks down his exhilarating new adaptation of Orwell's classic dystopia.
War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength. Love is Bondage.
Winston Smith is a pawn of the superstate Oceania, rewriting history to suit the whims of the Party. But when a work colleague named Julia smuggles him the note “I love you”, Winston finally has an outlet for his discomfort with the techno-driven dystopia. Secretly meeting in London’s prole quarters, can the lovers discover a life beyond the Party’s uniformity and solitude?
1984 Revolution of the Soul is more than an adaptation of Orwell’s famous dystopia. Developed by PhD student and Edinburgh Fringe veteran Junayd Islam, this play blends the original story with Shakespearean verse and Sufi tales, inviting audiences on a journey of rebellion and mysticism.
“I have combined two great traditions that have shaped my identity: English literature and Islamic spirituality,” says Junayd. “Of course, such a piece is driven by excellent acting. I'm very lucky to have such a qualified cast. To adjust them to the themes of the play, I'm using exercises learnt during my time at the Fontainebleau School of Acting.”
Participating in these exercises is Krish Misra who plays Winston. He previously performed in Aneil Karia’s 2025 Hamlet as Orsic. “Coming from a background of primarily comedic roles on screen, the chance to lead such an iconic dramatic play is one I am grateful for and eager to relish.”
Also present is Maddie Lock, delivering a fresh portrayal of the female lead, Julia. “I’m honoured to bring Julia to life: fierce, sarcastic, courageous and beautifully flawed, this adaptation truly portrays both the Party’s conditioning and her resistance.”
Junayd previously brought his Edinburgh Fringe debut, Desert Thirsts and Jerusalem Winds, to the Corpus Playhouse, gaining a near sell-out from a diverse audience of Cambridge town and gown. Now, Junayd offers another theatrical production that bridges cultural divisions, but this time with a dystopian twist.
1984: Revolution of the Soul
by Junayd of Islam, adapted from the book by George Orwell
Tuesday 27 – Saturday 31 October 2026
Corpus Playroom
Book tickets here!