Vidal and Scheer to lead ‘1984’ forums

Gore Vidal and Robert Scheer, editor of Truthdig and a former Los Angeles Times columnist, will appear as speakers during post-show audience forums in the final week of the Actors’ Gang’s critically acclaimed revival of George Orwell’s “1984,” which ends Saturday at REDCAT in downtown L.A.’s Disney Concert Hall.

Vidal is scheduled to participate in the audience discussion about the production and Orwell’s classic on Wednesday, Scheer on Thursday.

Actors’ Gang’s “1984” -- a rowdy agit-prop presentation with pointed contemporary parallels -- is directed by Oscar-winning actor Tim Robbins, the company’s artistic director and co-founder.

Adapted for the stage by Michael Gene Sullivan, it revolves around the interrogation and torture of a political prisoner in a totalitarian state.

The production returns after a 2006 run in L.A. and a national and international tour.

“Lively forums,” Robbins said, about the issues raised in Orwell’s classic have taken place after the company’s performances “from Utah to Texas to Hong Kong. In the course of touring 40 states in the past two years, we have come to cherish talk-backs with audiences.”

Previous speakers have included Los Angeles Times columnist Patt Morrison, journalist and author Naomi Klein and former Nixon White House Counsel John Dean.

-- Lynne Heffley