According to Craig Burke, the publicity director for Penguin USA, immediately after the inauguration of President Trump, sales of George Orwell’s 1984 jumped by 9,500 per cent.

It is wont for a publicity director to say so, but it’s not the first time global events have given cause to pore over the unfortunate adventures of Winston Smith in search of solace.

It’s very fortunate timing, then, for the State Theatre Company to bring 1984 to Her Majesty’s Theatre this May.

And if you feel that government overreach, obfuscating language and the policing of thoughts and actions through social media and smart phone-camera surveillance are topics you’d like to explore further, come along to Tangent – 1984 this Monday, 24 April.

Hosted in the Hetzel Lecture Theatre of the State Library, listen to panelists Corey McMahon (Associate Director of 1984), and Kristin Alford (futurist and Director of the Museum of Discovery at the University of South Australia) as they maybe try to make us all feel a little bit better about the world (though also maybe not).

For tickets and further information, see the event page.