Cast revealed for new Alan Ayckbourn - Romeo Oscar - at Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre

They are Elizabeth Boag, Frances Marshall, Richard Stacey, Leigh Symonds, Russell Richardson, Hayden Wood and Olivia Woolhouse.

The show takes us to the year 2194, when humanity is scattered around the solar system and day-to-day life on earth looks very different.

Preparations are under way 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 to be a challenge.

This courtroom drama explores a question that artists have been pursuing for centuries – what makes us human?

Alan Ayckbourn said: “When you reach my age, you really only have the choice as a writer of either looking back or moving forward.

"At the moment, I’m sort of swinging between past and future with each play. But where we’re going, particularly with AI, is always interesting. I don't think it's a bad thing. Look at Shakespeare, he went into complete fantasy and was none the worse for that!”

The Trial of Romeo Oscar is designed by Kevin Jenkins, with lighting design by Mark ‘Tigger’ Johnson. The associate sound designer is Ernest Acquah and the wardrobe supervisor is Julia Perry-Mook. The casting director is Sarah Hughes

It can be seen at the Stephen Joseph Theatre from Friday September 4 to Saturday October 3 and then tours to the Victoria Wood Theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere from Tuesday October 13 to Saturday October 17 and the New Vic in Newcastle-under-Lyme from Wednesday October 21 to Saturay October 31.

Calendar Girls the Musical is on at the venue now until Saturday July 25.

Tickets for the Stephen Joseh Theatre are available from the box office on 01723 370541 and online at www.sjt.uk.com