Together in Electric Dreams: Celebrating the ZX Spectrum’s Legacy on Stage

Together in Electric Dreams: Celebrating the ZX Spectrum’s Legacy on Stage In the world of home computing, few stories are as influential as that of Sir Clive Sinclair and his iconic ZX Spectrum.

Launched in 1982, the ZX Spectrum helped spark a home computer revolution in the UK.

However, by the mid-1980s, Sinclair’s dominance faced mounting competition from rival companies such as Commodore and Amstrad.

In 1986, these pressures came to a head when Alan Sugar’s Amstrad purchased Sinclair's entire computer product line and the “Sinclair” name for £5 million, marking a pivotal moment in technology history. Remarkably, this turning point in the technology industry inspired the creation of Together in Electric Dreams, a comedic stage play that has delighted audiences since its premiere over a decade ago.

The show offers a witty, dramatized look at the personal and industrial battles behind the scenes of the UK microcomputer boom. Daniel Thackeray, who not only wrote the script but also stars as Sir Clive Sinclair, describes the play's origins: Producer Gareth Kavanagh conceived the idea and, after seeing Thackeray perform in The Say Can Blues at the Lass O'Gowrie in 2011, approached him about taking on the role of Sir Clive.

Despite initially knowing little about Sinclair, Thackeray agreed to perform if he could also write the script.

He dove into research, developed the play, and, as Thackeray recalls, “Gareth loved it, so we did it—and have kept doing it ever since.” The cast is rounded out by Steve Cain, who takes on the role of Alan Sugar.

Together in Electric Dreams first debuted at Manchester Science Festival in 2012 and has since toured several venues, including Replay Expo Manchester (2012), Play Blackpool (2014), Eurocon (2015), and the Northwest Computer Museum in July 2025.

The play returns to the Northwest Computer Museum this October and will travel to several UK locations well into 2025. Live performances are scheduled at: - The Continental, Preston (July 24, 2025, 7:30pm) - Northwest Computer Museum, Leigh (July 25, 2025, 7:30pm) - VideOdyssey, Liverpool (July 29, 2025, 7:30pm) - The Seven Oaks, Manchester (August 5–8, 2025, 7:30pm) - The Civic Hall, Slaithwaite (August 9, 2025, 2:30pm) - Billington’s, Oldham (September 20, 2025, 2:30pm) - The Space, Isle of Dogs, London (October 4, 2025, 7:00pm) Now more relevant than ever, Together in Electric Dreams shines a spotlight on the crucial personalities and defining moments of the British computing scene.

The show stands as a tribute to Sir Clive Sinclair, honoring his industry-changing achievements and the enduring cultural impact of the ZX Spectrum.

For those eager to experience a unique blend of comedy and history, tickets are available for the upcoming 2025 performances across the UK.

UK ZX Spectrum Sinclair Together in Electric Dreams Clive Sinclair Gareth Kavanagh Daniel Thackeray Alan Sugar Amstrad Manchester Science Festival Northwest Computer Museum