Visual marketing concept by Phil Thompson, Joel Veenstra and UCI Drama Alum
Machines Like Me
By Ian McEwan
Adapted by Annie Loui
Annie Loui, director
TBD, scenic designer
Amelie De Jesus, lighting designer
Eliza Vedar, sound designer
Elissa Saldivar, production stage manager
Licensed by arrangement with The Agency, 24 Pottery Lane, Holland Park, London W11 4LZ info@theagency.co.uk
Sunday, Jan. 31, 2027, 2 p.m.
- Open captions are available for this performance.
- Stay for the TalkBack with company members and scholars.
In a bold new CounterBalance Theater-style physical-theatre adaptation of Ian McEwan’s Machines Like Me, seven transforming actors play multiple characters and all of the movement roles, conjuring a world where the line between human and machine is dangerously thin. When Charlie comes into money, he buys Adam, one of the first synthetic humans, and with Miranda’s help co-designs his personality. Beautiful, strong, clever and almost impossibly human, Adam soon develops desires, convictions and a love of his own, creating a triangle that forces Charlie, Miranda and Adam to confront profound questions of truth, morality, intimacy and identity. Can we design the perfect partner? And when a machine can love, create, judge and choose, what makes us human — our outward deeds, our inner lives, or something more?
“McEwan brings humor and considerable ethical rumination to a cautionary tale about artificial intelligence.” — Kirkus Reviews
“A novel this smart oughtn’t to be such fun, but it is.” — The Guardian
“A sharply intelligent novel of ideas.” — The New York Times
- Recommended for age 18+
- This production includes mature themes, mild strong language and sexual situations.
Major support is provided by the Robert and Lorna Cohen Endowment for Excellence in Drama, the Theatre Guild and the Claire Trevor Society.
VIP Priority Seating
Current Theatre Guild and Claire Trevor Society members are invited to enjoy early access to seating at all UCI Arts Department of Drama productions. Please arrive 30 minutes before curtain to select your seats and simply check in with your name at the designated entrance. General seating will open 20 minutes before the show. Members arriving after the early entry period are asked to please join the main entry line.
Learn how to become a Theatre Guild or Claire Trevor Society member, here.
General Admission: $25
Senior Age 62+: $22
UCI Faculty, Alumni, Staff, Emeriti and Retirees: $22
Groups 10+: $20
Arts Packages (3+ events): $21
Students & Youth Age 17/Below: $10
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