Adaptation of E. M. Forster's THE MACHINE STOPS Premieres at York Theatre Royal

Following the critical success of their recent co-productions of In Fog and Falling Snow and Blood + Chocolate, Pilot Theatre will once again join forces with York Theatre Royal, this time to stage the world premiere of THE MACHINE STOPS, Neil Duffield's exciting new adaptation of E. M. Forster's chilling short story predicting and exploring our increasingly intricate relationship with technology in our lives.

Directed by York Theatre Royal's Associate Director Juliet Forster and featuring a brand new soundtrack composed by John Foxx, pioneer of electronic music and founder of Ultravox, and analogue synth specialist, Benge, The Machine Stops will be at New Theatre Royal from 10 - 11 June.

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. But in his struggle to break out, can he reach the Earth's surface before the Machine stops?

British novelist, essayist, and social and literary critic E. M. Forster is best known for his exquisite novels such as A Passage to India and Howard's End, both made into Oscar-winning films, but his short story masterpiece published in 1909 is astoundingly prophetic and poignant in 2016, 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. 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.

Pilot Theatre is one of the UK's leading touring theatre companies. Their vision is to produce work that sparks passion and ignites debate across the globe through their performances and digital networks.

Tickets are priced at £14 and can be obtained by visiting the Theatre Royal Box Office or by calling 023 9264 9000. Tickets are also available online at www.newtheatreroyal.com