One of the UK’s most successful playwrights, Alan Ayckbourn, scrutinizes the consequences of artificial intelligence in his 89th play, Constant Companions.
Performed at the New Vic from Tuesday 24 October to 4 November, this topical production from the prolific playwright is also directed by the man himself.
Starring Georgia Burnell (Family Album), Andy Cryer (Season’s Greetings), Tanya-Loretta Dee (Family Album), Alexandra Mathie (The Girl Next Door), Naomi Petersen (The Girl Next Door), Richard Stacey (Confusions) and Leigh Symonds (Season’s Greetings), it weaves together the stories of highflying lawyer Lorraine, lonely bachelor Don and technician Winston.
Lorraine is a fabulously successful lawyer of a certain age and JAN 60, an android of indeterminate age, the janitor of her building. In a not-too-distant future where humans have turned to artificial friends for companionship without compromise, can Lorraine and Jan find true love?
Alan Ayckbourn became the first British playwright to receive both Olivier and Tony Special Lifetime Achievement Awards. Constant Companions brings together the characteristic humour and compassion Ayckbourn is known for to create a thought-provoking and entertaining show which says so much about both the present and the future.
Alan Ayckbourn said: “Reading so much about the inevitable arrival of AI into our society – some would say it’s already here! – I felt a cautious look forward might be in order. Are we really prepared for an encounter with another race? Not from outer space, but one of our own creation which will inevitably eventually turn out to be a lot smarter than we are? Honestly, the human race! As if we didn’t have enough problems already…”
Constant Companions takes to the stage at the New Vic from 24 October to 4 November 2023. Tickets are on sale now, priced from £10.00 to £30.50. For more details and to book, call the Box Office on 01782 717962 or visit newvictheatre.org.uk.