Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 - 21 January 1950), better known by his pen name George Orwell, was an English novelist and journalist, whose most famous works include the novella Animal Farm, and the classic dystopia 1984.

Robert Icke is a writer and director. His recent productions include Children of Nora, Oedipus (ITA) and The Doctor (West End, Almeida). His other work at the Almeida includes adapting and directing The Wild Duck, Mary Stuart (also West End and national tour), Uncle Vanya, Oresteia (also West End) and 1984 (co-created with Duncan Macmillan, also Broadway, West End, national and international tours). As director, his other productions include Hamlet (also West End and screened on BBC2), The Fever and Mr Burns. www.roberticke.com

Duncan Macmillan's work has been performed throughout the world, including at the National Theatre, Royal Court, Almeida, Barbican, St Ann's Warehouse, Melbourne Theatre Company, Berliner Ensemble, Hamburg Schauspielhaus, Schauspielhaus Köln, Burgtheater Vienna, Vesturport, Kansallisteatteri, Nationaltheatret Oslo and in the repertory of the Schaubühne Berlin, as well as at the Edinburgh Festival, the Manchester International Festival, Salzburg Festival, Festival d'Avignon and Theatertreffen, in the West End and on Broadway. Both 1984 and People, Places and Things were nominated for Best New Play and Rosmersholm was nominated Best Revival at the Olivier Awards.