Android on trial in 92nd Ayckbourn play

Sir Alan Ayckbourn has revealed a few tantalising snippets about his android-based 92nd full length play, The Trial of Romeo Oscar.

And if that name sounds a little less than human, it's because it is: the story is set in 2194, and humanity is scattered around the solar system. Day-to-day life on earth looks very different. Preparations are underway for a landmark legal case. Romeo Oscar, a military android, is on trial for murder: the first non-human to face a court. The circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear, the evidence is polarising and selecting an impartial jury is proving to be a challenge.

The 87-year-old, almost-legendary, playwright, explained: "When you reach my age, you really only have the choice as a writer of either looking back or moving forward. At the moment, I’m sort of swinging between past and future with each play.

"But where we’re going, particularly with AI, is always interesting. I don't think it's a bad thing. Look at Shakespeare, he went into complete fantasy and was none the worse for that!”

The play, which explores a question that artists have been pursuing for centuries: what makes us human?, premieres at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre from September 4 (to October 3), directed by Ayckbourn himself.

The cast, many having worked with their director before, is Elizabeth Boag, Frances Marshall, Richard Stacey, Leigh Symonds, Russell Richardson, Hayden Wood and Olivia Woolhouse.

After Scarborough, the play will visit the Victoria Wood Theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere (October 13-17) and the New Vic in Newcastle-under-Lyme (October 21-31).

More info and tickets here