A Machine they’re Secretly Building
by Proto-type Theatertheatre
Proto-type Theater speak up, speak out, blow the whistle and lift the veil on the insidious machine of surveillance. #AMTSB
about the production
A Machine they’re Secretly Building charts a course from the Top Secret secrets of WWI intelligence (via the moon, 1972’s Chess World Championships, a disco in Oklahoma and the cafeteria at CERN) through to 9/11, the erosion of privacy, Edward Snowden and to the terror of a future that might already be upon us. Proto-type have combined original text and classified intelligence documents with film from digital artist Adam York Gregory and sound design by Paul J. Rogers, to vent their frustration at how surveillance is changing who we are. “Intelligent agitprop... a eulogy from the end of history.” www.proto-type.org | #AMTSB
about the artist
Proto-type are a company of multi-disciplinary artists who make and produce original work that is diverse in scale, subject and medium. Recently, this has included touring theatre (A Machine they’re Secretly Building), a two-week long theatrical experience using pervasive technologies (Fortnight), a multimedia concert-performance featuring a live laptop orchestra and animation (The Good, the God and the Guillotine) and a radio drama with the BBC (The Forgotten Suffragette). Critics have called our work ‘an intriguing brush with altered reality’ (New York Times), ‘daring, experimental and theatrically engaging’ (Theatremania) and ‘enthralling’ (Zambezi News). - See more at www.proto-type.org
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stage dimensions
width: 8 metres
height: 3 metres
depth: 6 metres
Full tech rider available.
The Company travel with most equipment and properties.
• Those with an interest in contemporary culture, current affairs, global politics and digital rights campaigning
• Those who are interested in the debates surrounding privacy, national security and whistle-blowing
• Theatre, performance and Live Art attenders
• Theatre, performance, Live Art, media, politics, philosophy and cultural studies students and academics
• Fans of theatre works by Gob Squad, Chris Thorpe, Forced Entertainment, Reckless Sleepers, Michael Pinchbeck and Action Hero
• Arts Council England – Arts Audiences Insight segment: Urban Arts Eclectic
• The Audience Agency – Audience Spectrum: Metrocultural and Experience Seekers
Intelligent agitprop... a eulogy from the end of history
“Think Adam Curtis meets Chris Thorpe meets Proto-type!”
The piece features a combination of spoken text, composed sound and film. We can provide large-print versions of the script and touch tours in advance of the performance - please contact admin@proto-type.org to arrange. We are also keen to work with venues to provide BSL interpretation where possible.
• The company are happy to take part in venue facilitated post-show discussions.
• WORKSHOP: PERFORMING PROTEST Age 16+ | All skill/experience levels | Max 25 participants Half and full-day versions available
Concerned? Called to action? Ready to dissent? How do you put your protest and your politics on the stage? In this workshop, participants will examine strategies used by Proto-type to create A Machine they’re Secretly Building.
Suitable for studios or site-specific locations, the workshop explores tactics for writing, devising and staging contemporary political theatre and performance.
• The company is also available to teach devising and custom workshops upon request.
Please contact admin@proto-type.org to discuss fees
