The Adding Machine

Summary: 1948 BBC live studio production of Elmer Rice’s expressionist drama The Adding Machine.
Theatre play: The Adding Machine by Elmer Rice (1892-1967) [more information]
Play synopsis: 'The story focuses on Mr Zero, an accountant at a large, faceless company. After 25 years at his job, he discovers that he will be replaced by an adding machine. In anger and pain, he snaps and kills his boss. Mr Zero is then tried for murder, is found guilty and hanged. He wakes up in a heaven-like setting known as the "Elysian Fields". Mr Zero then begins to operate an adding machine until Lieutenant Charles, the boss of the Elysian Fields, comes to tell Zero that he is a waste of space and his soul is going to be sent back to the earth to be reused. The play ends with Zero following a very attractive girl named Hope (who may not actually exist) off stage.' (Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Adding_Machine; accessed 8 August 2014.)
Production history: First performed by the Theatre Guild on 19 March 1923.
Date of transmission: Thursday 15 January 1948
Time: 8.30-10.15pm
Channel: BBC Television
Production company: BBC

Producer

Eric Fawcett

Playwright

Elmer Rice (1892-1967)

Adapted for Television by

Eric Fawcett

Sets / Settings

James Bould

Cast

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British Universities Film & Video Council