The Soul in the Machine
Commissioned by YMCA, created by Saltmine Theatre Company, The Soul In The Machine takes audiences back to 1844.
Georgian London is the centre of empire, the crucible of the New Jerusalem. Her gutters run with effluent and blood and her skies are choked with the smoke of a hundred factories and foundries, but above the smoke, the stars will shine. George Williams is a country boy who comes to the city to find his place in the world, and to make his mark. Appalled by the spirit-crushing rhythms of worker’s life, he fights to spread the light of God, and create a place where the soul can be nurtured.
“We are more than bodies to be fed to a machine. We are made for more than work. We have souls, we have spirits and somewhere in this dead city there must be a place for those things.”- George Williams, founder of the YMCA.
"Today I had the great experience of watching 'The Soul in the Machine;' – having worked for the YMCA for 15 years watching this play made me realise even more why I love my job so much and why we do what we do.....Go and see it if you can...you won't be disappointed...thank you to the cast for a great and memorable experience"- YMCA worker, Stoke – 2016 tour