BIG Brother is taking to the streets to raise awareness of a theatre production of George Orwell's 1984.

Northern Stage Ensemble is presenting a stage version of the classic novel in Newcastle, which features the original Big Brother and Room 101, from tomorrow.

A project named Citizen Artist will also find actors performing pieces of theatre around the city to focus on the 21st Century preoccupation with voyeurism and surveillance.

Events include the creation of a new state at Grey's Monument, torture chambers in the grounds of the universities, and a recital of Romeo And Juliet's balcony scene in Newspeak - the state language of 1984 - at Global Image Hair Salon.

Passengers on the Metro may also find themselves face to face with some odd travelling companions.

"We hope to involve the public directly in the work of Northern Stage Ensemble and change their role from spectator to participant," said Adele Johnson, Northern Stage's assistant director and head of the Citizen Artist.

The company is also welcoming Tom, one of the original residents of Channel 4's Big Brother series, to a post-play discussion next Thursday.