THE Dukes kicks-off its new theatre season tonight (Thursday) with the Lancaster venue and Northern Broadsides’ co-production of George Orwell’s 1984, featuring animation and specially composed music alongside the live action.

Director Conrad Nelson explained: “We’ve made 1984 our own and will be taking the audience on an exciting audio-visual journey.”

Adapted by Nick Lane, 1984 is the first of two in-house Dukes productions for this season, the other being the Christmas spectacular, The Snow Queen, running from November 26 until January 8.

Additionally, The Dukes will also host 37 performances of touring work.