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Fahrenheit 451 - One4Review

Ray Bradbury’s ‘Farenheit 451’ was published in 1953, its comments on censorship and the futility in destroying the written word are as relevant today as when first written. Although aware of the televised series of his work ‘The Martian Chronicles’ originally published in 1950, I was unaware of his other works. Set in a world where thinking is controlled by Giant TV screens covering the walls in homes sending subliminal messages to the populous. Where medication is used to control those who step slightly out of alignment and the written word is outlawed.  We have firemen whose job is really to burn any books found. We focus on Guy Montag a dedicated fireman until he meets young Clarice, this little girl makes him think about his world, his life and for the first time himself. He then meets Mrs Hudson who prefers to die rather than give up her library, to such an extent she dos the firemen’s job for them. Montag takes some of her books haunted by the idea that life might not be worth living after all. He is contacted by Clarice’s uncle Faber and starts to read the secreted books, as his discontent increases he memorises two books of a bible. When he eventually kills his superior he is beaten and makes his way out of town only to meet up with others who have all memorised different books by different authors. We finally see the largest fire of them all, the destruction of the city! This 10 strong ensemble play all the characters utilising lighting and sound or set changes. The cast are David Bartlett, Katherine Boynton, Gracy Brown, Tara Brown, Kristen Harlow, Gregory Konow, Mike Roche, Cyrus Roxas, Mike Tranzilli and Sam Whitten. They show the different aspects of living in this time where memories and original thoughts are outlawed. The developing relationship between the child and the man, is totally believable and we witness his changing attitude to life.  The depiction of the fires utilising the other cast members is fascinating. This is a powerful piece of thought provoking theatre. ****

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