In the current world of CCTV cameras, health & safety rules and identity cards, George Orwell's 1984 seems more apt today than ever before.

Next week, Northern Broadsides bring playwright Nick Lane's adaption of the classic to the Rose Theatre, mixing live and recorded action together with hand-drawn animation.

"It's the novel in a visual form," says director Conrad Nelson.

"You have to take a step on from the book and that's what we have tried to do.

"We have never used screen action before but the idea seems to work from the reviews we have had.

"There's big screen at the back and then six other smaller screens around the stage and a front projection for the last image."

Lane's adaption remains faithful to the original, still centreing around the life of Winston Smith and the totalitarian regime of Big Brother.

"People see the play and imagine it at the time they are living in," says Nelson.

"We liken it to the world we are living in at the moment and the book will continue having a resonance for many years to come.

"It's a human story as well with the love story between Winston and Julia and maybe it's a warning for the future, to say hopefully we will never get there."

The play will not be the first time Northern Broadsides or Nelson have been on the Rose stage.

Othello (which starred Lenny Heny in 2009), Romeo & Juliet and most recently Canterbury Tales which came earlier this year, have all been staged by it at the venue.

"It's a great venue and it seems to be very good for our type of work," says Nelson.

"It's a great arena to play and I am glad we have kept our association going."

1984, Rose Theatre, High Street, October 26 to 30, 7.30pm, (Thurs and Sat matinee 2.30pm), £8 to £10. Call 0871 230 1552 or visit rosetheatrekingston.org.