Comic Potential
Written by Alan Ayckbourn
Directed by Linda Savage

Comic Potential by Alan Ayckbourn is a romantic sci-fi comedy play. It is set in a TV studio in the foreseeable future, when low-cost androids (known as "actoids") have largely replaced actors.

An hilarious, ‘Laugh out loud’ satire of a television network and a touching romantic comedy. It begins in a television studio where a hospital soap opera is being recorded. One actor starts speaking gibberish; he is an "actoid", a robot, and his programming is off kilter.

Adam, an aspiring writer and the young nephew of the owner of the network manages to get on the set to meet the soaps Director Chandler Tate. Adam is one of the Directors biggest fans, he has a copy of every movie that Chandler has ever Directed.

Chandler is on a slippery slope down, no longer directing movies, he is at the bottom of the ladder, directing daytime TV soaps, he could not get lower than this.

Adam starts chatting with JC Tripplethree, the nurse (Actoid, serial number JC333) and finds, to his surprise, that not only can she carry a conversation but, due to what she calls ‘a fault’ in her programming, she has a sense of humour and a creative imagination. 

Adam wants to write a new television series around JC, and as they get to know each other, feelings start to grow. Will Adam get the green light on his series?..... Will Chandler direct Adams series?..... Will love prevail? ……..

The answer to these questions and more is in the play, so, make sure you get your tickets, you will not regret it.

This play originated from the idea that the ability to laugh and the ability to fall in love are both characteristics that differentiate humans from androids, as both are illogical from an objective viewpoint, thus raising the question as to whether either of the actions in an android would be considered a malfunction. The comedy also explores the Pygmalion syndrome and competing desires for autonomy and certainty.

Awards and nominations
- Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Play (nominated)
- Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Play (nominated)
- Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy (nominated)