ONE of Suffolk's most famous sons, George Orwell was a man of huge insight who expounded ideas still relevant today.

Becoming Orwell by Suzanne Hawkes

The Swan, Southwold March 18

ONE of Suffolk's most famous sons, George Orwell was a man of huge insight who expounded ideas still relevant today.

This play, produced by Black and White Productions, brings his work and ideas bang up to date.

Becoming Orwell charts the life of the young writer as he struggles with the rejection his upbringing and following his passion for writing and the demands of his deep social conscience.

Set on Walberswick beach and Orwell's family home, the play switches between the 1930s and the present day neatly highlighting the writer's relevance in the modern age.

Following the young George Orwell's - before he changed his name from Eric Blair - difficult relationship with his father, the story is juxtaposed with the tale of a young, slightly paranoid, man called Michael who is obsessed with Orwellian ideas and the man himself.

Becoming Orwell is notably more than a simple biographical account of this intriguing young man's early years in Suffolk.

Well acted by the cast, with notable performances from Alexandra Maher as Orwell's life-long friend Brenda Salkeld and Thomas Haigh as a tormented Orwell, this well researched play is full of feeling and pathos.

A story cleverly told, Becoming Orwell offers the audience a chance to gain some insight to the man behind such powerful classics as Animal Farm and Big Brother.

A stimulating and thought provoking production.

Becoming Orwell is being performed at Ipswich's Sir John Mills theatre in Gatacre Road until Saturday March 21 - tickets are available from the box office on 01473 211498.