The Trial of Romeo Oscar by Alan Ayckbourn | Stephen Joseph Theatre
The Trial of Romeo Oscar by Alan Ayckbourn from https://sjt.uk.com
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The Trial of Romeo Oscar by Alan Ayckbourn

The annual premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's latest play. A court-room drama exploring a question that artists have been pursuing for centuries – what makes us human?

4 September - 3 October

From £10

The Round

Approx. 2h 35m + interval

About

In the year 2194, humanity is scattered around the solar system and day-to-day life on earth looks very different. Preparations are underway for a landmark legal case.

Romeo Oscar, a military issue android, is on trial for murder: the first non-human to be tried in a court of law. The circumstances surrounding the incident are unclear, the evidence is polarising and selecting an impartial jury is proving a challenge.

Alan Ayckbourn’s latest play is a courtroom drama exploring a question that artists have been pursuing for centuries – what makes us human?

★★★★★ "Intelligent and ambitious... a provocative, timely and deeply engaging piece of theatre that is destined to run and run.Yorkshire Times

★★★★ "Once more, his writing will be music to your ears." Charles Hutch Press

★★★★ "Vibrant, innovative, full of wit and wisdom, surprise and mischief." The York Press

★★★★ "Mind-blowing." The Yorkshire Post

"You will laugh and be left with much to ponder." The Guardian

"Transcendent." The Stage

"Perfectly performed with a pinpoint precision." The Scarborough News

"Opens up a fascinating seam of serious philosophical issues that are becoming ever more pressing with each day that AI increases its stranglehold on the world." Stage Reviews

Audience reactions

"Absolutely wonderful evening watching this, it is an amazing script, performances from each were excellent. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Lots of humour mixed in there. I would certainly say one not to be missed."

"Brilliant writing, magnificent performances & totally thought provoking! A play for our times!"

"We went to the opening night and I must say it was an excellent experience, fabulous story, perfect acting, humour, heart breaking and an awesome overall experience."

"A fab play with great acting. Loved it."

"We went to see this last night and words fail me. It was fantastic. Congratulations to Alan Ayckbourn on yet another success. If you can, you must see it as it is very, very good. A standing ovation at the end."

"I really think this might be his best yet. Booked to come again as I know there were other layers to unravel... and as well because it was superb."

"Ayckbourn at his very best! This is surely going to become an Ayckbourn Classic. The casting and acting was superb. The lighting and sound effect of descending down to the 27th level was spot on."

"Felt like a love letter to the arts from the depth of his soul."

Reviews:

“He is a kind of English Chekhov who is also an incomparably fine director of his own serious comedies”
The Wall Street Journal on The Girl Next Door (2021)

“Ayckbourn’s deft and light touch takes you deviously into darker reaches of the soul”
Scarborough News on Family Album (2022)

"Smart, funny, speculative sci-fi comedy”
The Stage on Constant Companions (2023)

"Very funny... a beautifully performed drama"
The Observer on Show & Tell (2024)

"A gift from a god of playwriting"
The Yorkshire Post on Earth Angel (2025)

Preview: On Friday 4 September ticket prices are capped at £16 for all seats.

Post-show Q&A: Thursday 1 October, 7.30pm

Age guidance: 12+

Access Performances:

Dementia-friendly & captioned: Thursday 24 September, 1.30pm

Captioned: Thursday 24 September, 7.30pm

BSL interpreted & audio-described: Saturday 26 September, 2.30pm (watch the BSL trailer here)

Cast

Elizabeth Boag

Frances Marshall

Russell Richardson

Richard Stacey

Leigh Symonds

Hayden Wood

Olivia Woolhouse

Credits

A Stephen Joseph Theatre production

Written and directed by Alan Ayckbourn

Set and Costume Designer: Kevin Jenkins

Lighting Designer: Mark 'Tigger' Johnson

Associate Sound Designer: Ernest Acquah

Wardrobe Supervisor: Julia Perry-Mook

Casting Director: Sarah Hughes CDG

Dates & Tickets

Tuesday

22nd September

7:30pm

From £10

Wednesday

23rd September

1:30pm

From £10

Wednesday

23rd September

7:30pm

From £10

Thursday

24th September

1:30pm

From £10

Thursday

24th September

7:30pm

From £10

Friday

25th September

7:30pm

From £10

Saturday

26th September

2:30pm

From £10

Saturday

26th September

7:30pm

From £10

Tuesday

29th September

7:30pm

From £10

Wednesday

30th September

1:30pm

From £10

Wednesday

30th September

7:30pm

From £10

Thursday

1st October

1:30pm

From £10

Thursday

1st October

7:30pm

From £10

Friday

2nd October

7:30pm

From £10

Saturday

3rd October

2:30pm

From £10

Saturday

3rd October

7:30pm

From £10

FAQ's

What are your Ts & Cs?

Exchanges and Refunds

Tickets are non-refundable, unless an event is cancelled or rescheduled. We can exchange your tickets for a different instance of the same production / screening, but tickets cannot be exchanged between different productions / screenings. This is provided you contact us at least 3 working days in advance of the performance / screening. This service is offered at a rate of £1.50 per ticket. If the value of the new tickets is higher than the original tickets the difference must be paid, however no refunds will be given if you choose tickets of a lesser value.

Tickets for events that are cancelled or rescheduled after purchase are eligible for exchange and refund and our Box Office team will be in touch with you by email or phone with information specific to your booking.

Please note that the Stephen Joseph Theatre is not liable for any additional costs or expenses you may incur as a result of a cancelled or rescheduled event, including for travel, accommodation or hospitality.

Complaints

If you experience a problem whilst at the Stephen Joseph Theatre or during an event, please bring it to the attention of the Duty Manager immediately. We regret we may not be able to offer refunds or exchanges retrospectively unless you have let us know of a problem during your visit.

Reselling

Tickets must not be resold. This includes the resale of tickets for profit, in which circumstances the Stephen Joseph Theatre reserves the right to cancel the booking or refuse admission without notice and without being obliged to refund monies. If you can no longer attend the performance we are able resell your tickets once an event is sold out. If you have purchased physical tickets those must be returned to Box Office before they can be resold.

Seat Allocation

Occasionally it may be necessary to change a customer’s seat allocation. The Stephen Joseph Theatre reserves the right to make these changes without prior notification or obligation to refund monies or exchange tickets. We will make every endeavour to contact customers in advance to advise of any changes at the earliest opportunity.

Content Warnings

Where possible we indicate any content warnings on the show page. Please click the ‘Content warning’ button to view them. Please contact the Box Office with any concerns before booking tickets.

Admission

The Stephen Joseph Theatre reserves the right to refuse admission to any ticket holder to ensure the comfort and safety of our staff and audiences.

Audience members are not permitted to bring alcohol onto Stephen Joseph Theatre premises.

Latecomers will be admitted at the discretion of the Duty Manager at a suitable point in the performance. Please note, some performances have a strict no latecomers policy and we are unable to refund ticket purchases if you miss the performance start time.

During Your Visit

For reasons of safety audience members are not permitted to go onto, or cross the stage in The Round auditorium.

Stephen Joseph Theatre has zero tolerance of all forms of abuse, harassment, sexual harassment and bullying. We expect that all visitors will treat staff, performers and each other with courtesy and respect. We reserve the right to end any visit without warning and will report all incidents of threats, harassment, or discrimination to North Yorkshire Police.

Photography & Video

Photography, video and sound recording of performances is strictly forbidden. Anyone found to be recording a performance may be asked to leave.

The use of mobile phones is not permitted during performances.

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