Dystopian masterpiece hauntingly predicts our relationship with technology at Doncaster's Cast

EM Forster's chilling short story The Machine Stops, predicting and exploring the increasingly intricate relationship with technology in our lives, is brought to life by the acclaimed Pilot Theatre at Cast, on Tuesday and Wednesday, March 21-22.

Following the critical success of their recent co-productions of In Fog and Falling Snow and Blood + Chocolate, one of the UK’s leading theatre companies Pilot Theatre have joined forces with York Theatre Royal, to bring Neil Duffield’s exciting adaptation of The Machine Stops to the Doncaster flagship theatre.

Directed by York Theatre Royal’s associate director Juliet Forster, the critically acclaimed production features a brand-new soundtrack composed by John Foxx, pioneer of electronic music and founder of Ultravox, and analogue synth specialist, Benge.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In a dystopian world where humans have retreated far underground, Kuno alone questions their now total dependency on technology to live and communicate with each other.

British novelist, essayist, and social and literary critic EM Forster is best known for his exquisite novels such as A Passage to India and Howard’s End, both made into Oscar-winning films.

His short story masterpiece published in 1909 is astoundingly prophetic and poignant in 2017, providing a chilling warning of the dangers of isolation, reliance on computer technology and the effects upon society.

Playwright Neil Duffield said: ‘It’s an amazing story, and even more so when you discover it was first published in 1909.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“What’s so astonishing is not only the accuracy with which it foresees the extent of the technologic take-over of almost every aspect of our modern-day lives, but the effect that has on us all – on our relations with each other, on our minds and bodies, our philosophy and culture, on our very sense of being.”

Artistic director Esther Richardson said: “Pilot are delighted to have the opportunity to take this fantastic show back out on the road. After such a successful run, earlier this year, we are excited to take The Machine Stops on a longer tour and give as many people as possible the chance to see it.  The music that John Foxx and Benge created was a perfect soundtrack to the show so it is great that people are now able to take that away with them.”

Pilot Theatre is one of the UK’s leading touring theatre companies. E M Forsters’ The Machine Stops is on at Cast from Tuesday March 21 to Wednesday March April 22, at 7.45pm with a Wednesday matinee at 1.30pm.

Tickets are £12.50 (£10.50 concessions), available on 01302 303 959 or online at castindoncaster.com.