Details

Originally staged in 1923 this darkly comic tale forecasts the dangers of a mechanised, dehumanised society and remains today a timeless testimony that, when unchecked, corporate culture can wear away the human soul. Rice's nightmare vision concerns itself with Mr. Zero, a number cruncher for an anonymous store, who is replaced by an Adding Machine after 25 years of loyal service. In a fit of rage he murders his boss and is subsequently imprisoned, tried and executed. But his story doesn't end there. He journeys into the afterlife only to discover the unpleasant truth about himself, as well as the disturbing news that he must be reincarnated and do it all again. The Adding Machine marks the first co-production between Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh and Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh. The Adding Machine will be the first public production in the Gateway Pend Studio.

Creatives/Company

Author: Elmer Rice
Company(s): Carnegie Mellon University, Queen Margaret University College
Director: Peter Frisch