Cameron Dye (right), who plays Winston Smith in 1984, listens as playwright Michael Gene Sullivan (left) explains how the current “with us or against us” political situation in America influenced his stage adaptation of George Orwell’s 1984 at a panel discussion that was broadcast live over KUER FM90 from the Hinckley Institute of Politics yesterday. Sullivan said that this political climate led him give more focus Smith’s interrogations. Directed by actor Tim Robbins, the play will be performed by The Actors’ Gang at Kingsbury Hall on Oct. 13 and 14. The adaptation added to Sullivan’s variety of work, which includes writing, directing and acting with groups including the San Francisco Mime Troupe.