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Edinburgh Reporter
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Edinburgh Reporter
Fringe 2025 – Julia. 1984 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The continuing relevance of George Orwell's work is well represented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year. This includes an excellent theatrical production of Animal Farm (Assembly, Studio 1). From the 8th of August onwards, The Winston Smith Library of Victory and Truth, a special sculptural installation by artist Hans K Clausen, will be on display at Out of The Blue on Dalmeny Street from 8-23 August. At Summerhall, Julia. 1984 by Within Theatre continues the Orwellian themes, demonstrating their continuing relevance. Directed by Tanya Polosina, and with superb lead performances by Sofia Barysevich (playing Julia) and Michael Tcherepashenets (O'Brien), Karina Wiedman's Julia. 1984 offers a worthy sequel to Orwell's dark masterpiece. Sofia Barysevich and Michael Tcherepashenets (photo by Alina Saffron) Entering Room 101 Julia. 1984 begins where the original Nineteen Eighty Four ends, the aftermath of Winston Smith's final succumbing to days of torture – and his acceptance that the Party and Big Brother represent the only truth, the only reality. This is continued in Julia. 1984. The play takes place where the original book concluded; in Room 101, 'the worst thing in the world', where victims come face to face with their very worst fears (in Winston's case, rats). The focus here shifts from Winston to Julia. In Julia. 1984 she is no longer 'merely' Winston's lover, but now the central focus. What became of her? An eerie and unsettling space As the audience enters the Main Hall at Summerhall, they find themselves in an eerie and unsettling space. They have, even if they don't yet know it, entered Room 101. You may come out of Room 101 alive, but you will not be the same person, you will not hold to the same truths. Progress, in Room 101 it's not like progress elsewhere. Here, 'suicide ideation' is apparently 'the first step to recovery' and the acceptance that Big Brother is always right – and that truth is malleable ('2 plus 2 is 5'). We begin with Julia midway through her torture, overseen by O'Brien, head of the Thought Police, headquartered at the Ministry of Love. It is the relationship and conflict between Julia and O'Brien which is at the centre of performance. It begins with Julia very much the victim, on her knees literally and metaphorically. She is imprisoned, with confession to crimes (real or imagined) the only way out. It takes us back to the conclusion of the original novel and the question that hangs over it; what was Julia's role in Winston's capture? These themes of distrust and double crossing are at the heart of Julia. 1984. Sofia Barysevich & Anastasia Velique (photo by Alina Saffron) Fear and loathing The action onstage was a stark contrast to warmth and sunshine on the nearby Meadows; of children playing freely and ice cream being liberally scoffed. The world of Julia. 1984 has no room for such simple liberties and pleasures. The drinking of Victory Gin is done only to blank out the reality, not as a social lubricant. You don't want to speak freely in a world where no one can safely be confided in. The tense exchanges between Julia and Emma (Anastasia Velique) illustrate this clearly. Fear and loathing is here the essence of life and any personal relationships are fractured by the state. There is a deep unsettling feeling from the start; the audience not sure whether the show has begun. It's immediately evident that this is going to be an unsettling and intense experience. The mood changes numerous times, from celebratory, to worried, to petrified. At times, the atmosphere borders on jolly; at others, metaphorical shockwaves are projected towards those seated. At one point, several audience members around me jumped out of their seats as the action took a dramatic turn. At another point, the seating shook, further instilling a sense of unease. This is consistent with Room 101, where the punishments are psychological and physical. Who is watching? The feeling that dominates is of claustrophobia. The characters in the play are trapped, intellectually if not physically, while the audience too feels surrounded, with action occurring in front and sometimes behind them. Who is watching? What are they looking for? Fluctuating fortunes The level of the performance was truly impressive. The interactions between the characters were convincing. Central were the tense dialogues between the leading characters. These were carried out in simplified English (in line with the principles of Newspeak, a streamlined version of Standard English, denuded of unnecessary words). The performance was never rushed, with the deep unease allowed to linger over the audience. There was time for the audience to absorb the deeper significance of the exchanges they had just witnessed. The fluctuating fortunes of the main characters is very well communicated, especially O'Brien's shift from charismatic, all powerful master of ceremonies, the master of Room 101 – to a man in an increasingly precarious position. The changing power dynamics between Julia and O'Brien are at the core of the story and the performance. Their interactions are an increasingly intense cocktail of distrust, loathing, and lust. At root is the question of who is really closest to the Inner Party and to its unseen but all-seeing 'captain, engine and guru', Big Brother. Who will win the power struggle? What emerges is that 'everyone is replaceable', even those in the highest positions within the Inner Party. Parallels with purges in many real totalitarian societies immediately come to mind. This may be a nightmarish vision, but has basis in reality; past and indeed present. Not history but happening now The performance ended on an intense note, leading to an extended period of hearted and well-deserved applause. Those involved in the play outlined that what inspired those involved was partly their own history as a theatre group. Now based in London, the actors come from a range of Slavic countries where freedom of expression is in short supply and Orwell's vision of totalitarianism is very much alive. This is 'not history but happening now'. The way the actors are inspired by a need to counteract such a mindset is clearly manifested in this powerful and disturbing performance which does justice to Orwell's work. JULIA.1984 continues until 11 August at Summerhall. Running time 60min Suitable for Age 14+ Warnings Flashing lights, swearing, violence Tickets from: Like this: Like Related [Note: the author thanks Eva Vaporidi for her assistance with this review]
New Straits Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Sabah to host National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen's Day this weekend
KUALA LUMPUR: The National Farmers, Breeders and Fishermen Day 2025 (HPPNK 2025) will mark its 50th anniversary at the Sabah International Convention Centre (SICC) in Kota Kinabalu from Friday to Aug 3. According to Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu, the programme themed "Our Strength Secures the Nation (Kudrat Kami Menjamin Pertiwi)", will feature five main attractions: technology exhibitions, TVET training opportunities, business-matching opportunities, entertainment, and sales of produce with discounts of between 10 and 30 per cent. Mohamad said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was scheduled to officiate the event at 9am on Aug 3. The ministry expects up to half a million visitors. Mohamad said this before appearing on TV3's Malaysia Hari Ini at Studio 1, Balai Berita Bangsar today. Mohamad encouraged public participation, particularly among Sabahans, adding that the event showcased how agriculture could support families, communities, and even grow into industrial-scale ventures. This year's edition will highlight youth-led agricultural success stories. Among them is a group in Tawau cultivating premium-grade avocados. Sabah, he said, could emerge as a regional and even global centre for avocado production. The ministry is also promoting high-potential crops like pineapples, durians, and onions. The latter has gained traction in Sabah, with efforts aiming to meet domestic demand. These exhibitions served to inspire more involvement in local farming across Malaysia, he said. While visitors can also expect a festive atmosphere with shopping, family activities, and live entertainment, the greater goal is to motivate those in agriculture, aquaculture, and agrotourism.
New Straits Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Mat Sabu: No hike in egg prices projected
KUALA LUMPUR: Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu has assured consumers that egg prices will remain stable despite the subsidy ending on Friday. "InsyaAllah, the supply is currently sufficient, and the producers, suppliers and related parties have been working closely with us in ongoing discussions. They have assured us that eggs will be available on the market as usual. In fact, supply is increasing. He drew a comparison to the end of chicken subsidies last year. "At present, I do not foresee any price increases, similar to when we previously adjusted the chicken subsidy. No price hike occurred then." Mohamad was speaking to reporters before appearing on TV3's Malaysia Hari Ini programme at Studio 1, Balai Berita in Bangsar today. He added that any egg shortages, such as those that may happen in rural locations, will be met with immediate intervention by the government and the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority. On a separate matter, the minister said Thailand-Cambodia border tensions have not affected Malaysia's rice imports. "The situation does not involve the whole of Thailand or Cambodia. There are no current problems with regard to rice supplies to Malaysia," On April 30, the Agriculture and Food Security Ministry announced that the egg subsidy will be discontinued starting Friday. The decision, it said, was made after taking into account the industry's commitment to ensuring a stable and sufficient egg supply following the stabilisation of production costs.
New Straits Times
30-07-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
13MP: Govt to prioritise irrigation infrastructure, aquaculture for fishermen
KUALA LUMPUR: The 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) will prioritise government-led irrigation infrastructure and promote aquaculture among fishermen affected by coastal development and land reclamation, said Agriculture and Food Security Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Sabu. Mohamad said the ministry would focus on irrigation as it is a large-scale undertaking that individuals cannot manage and is typically a government responsibility. He was speaking to reporters after appearing on TV3's 'Malaysia Hari Ini' programme at Studio 1, Balai Berita Bangsar today. Mohamad added that coastal development and land reclamation in states such as Perlis, Penang, Melaka, and Negeri Sembilan have disrupted the livelihoods of traditional fishermen, prompting the ministry's push for aquaculture. "In the long term, we aim to transform fishermen into 'inland fishermen,' meaning aquaculture practitioners," he said. "We want to help them adapt to aquaculture, where in some cases, the income can be even better than fishing at sea." The 13MP, covering 2026-2030, is expected to chart an ambitious course to transform the nation into a high-income, innovation-led economy. The five-year development blueprint, which will be tabled during the parliamentary sitting tomorrow (Thursday), will introduce significant policy shifts in response to evolving global and domestic challenges. Key thrusts of the plan include high-tech industrialisation, sustainable development, and inclusive growth, amid a growing emphasis on fiscal reform.
Irish Daily Mirror
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Mirror
Philip Boucher-Hayes shuts down RTE Liveline rumours with cheeky swipe
TV host Philip Boucher-Hayes has clarified to listeners that he is not the new host of Liveline. Boucher-Hayes has been hosting the RTE Radio 1 show since Joe Duffy retired on June 27. He is only stepping in as host for two weeks before RTE selects another presenter to fill the show over the summer radio schedule. However, the host told listeners at the start of Liveline on Monday that he had eight different people over the weekend congratulating him on becoming the new host of the iconic phone-in show. But he clarified: 'For the avoidance of further confusion, let us just set it out once again, RTE has not made a decision on this. There are five wannabes. In fact, there's probably a hell of a lot more than five wannabes, but there are five wannabes, yours truly, included being put through their paces on air before RTE makes a decision. 'After that, we will move to the swimwear and ball gown elements of the competition. I think I've got that section nailed down. I want to though, because in the final round is the Hunger Games, they will be placing a big cache of non-lethal weapons under the RTE mast and letting us all race to them, grab your preferred weapon and have at it. 'And everybody is hoping, by that stage of the competition that Sarah McInerney has been taken out because she is very handy with the numb chucks, but the news is no decision made. Well, maybe they have made a decision after my first week in the chair. But let's leave that aside there is officially no decision made, so on with the show.' Mr Duffy retired in star-studded fashion after 27 years at the helm of Liveline on June 27. Joe kept his final sign-off from Liveline on Friday short and sweet, and even revived his iconic pandemic sign-off 'wash your hands'. He told listeners: "That's all from me on Liveline. Goodbye from Studio 1, and remember, 51551. Wash your hands. Love you all. It's been a privilege. It's been a privilege." Speculation remains rife over who will be the new host of Liveline, but it looks like radio fans will have to wait until the autumn for an official announcement. Rumours swirled that Katie Hannon will be taking over from Joe following the news that her current affairs TV series, Upfront with Katie Hannon, has been axed after three seasons and won't be back on air in September.
