The Machine Wreckers

A classic of German expressionism by an active revolutionary who was also an accomplished poet and playwright. Set largely in Nottingham in the early years of the 19th century, Ernst Toller's play The Machine Wreckers depicts the suffering amongst the local weavers caused by the introduction of mechanised looms the 'machines' of the title. First staged in 1922 in Berlin, this English version of Toller's play by Ashley Dukes was staged at the National Theatre, London, in 1995 in a production directed by Katie Mitchell. 'The play still shocks and grips' - Guardian