Radio Drama · Radio Performances of Books · Drama · Science fiction & fantasy

E. M Forster - The Machine Stops

Episodes
1

Dramatised By: Gregory Norminton EM Forster's story, written at the beginning of the last century, takes place in a future where people can only communicate through a machine - much like the internet today - and technology has become an all-powerful god.

More about it

A mother and son's attempts at real communication are the basis for EM Forster's harrowing vision of a subterranean future.

Vashti: Gemma Jones Kuno: John McAndrew Computer: Jillie Meers The four voices: Anne Carroll The four voices: Christian Rodksa The four voices: Connie Walker The four voices: Fergus Webster Director: Jane Morgan Producer: Marilyn Imrie Sound designer: Wilfredo Acosta

24 April 2001

It is hard to believe that this short story was written by EM Forster before the First World War when it includes a mechanical system that can only be described as an early version of e-mail. The human race is living beneath the earth's surface, communicating via the multifaceted technologies of the great Machine. All physical and mental needs are catered for but not everyone is sated by this safe and unquestioning lifestyle. A man called Kuno has been "finding ideas" away from the remit of the Machine and wants to tell his mother what it is like on the surface of the earth. "Cannot you see... it is we that are dying and that down here the only thing that really lives is the Machine?" She loathes his act of rebellion but fears, equally, for his life. When the Machine begins to break down and humanity, finally, learns its…

Episodes, in broadcast order

  1. E.M forster - The Machine Stops

    No date given · 44 min

Where it comes from 1

The archive items its episodes are played from, best first, with each one’s rights as its archive states them. An episode two sets both hold is played from the first.

  1. E. M Forster - The Machine Stops

    Radio Performances of Books · 1 episode here · archive.org

    the Internet Archive states no licence or rights for it.

From Radio Performances of Books at the Internet Archive.

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