Rude Mechanicals

Rude Mechanicals by Kage Baker is a limited edition published by Subterranean Press in April 2007. This 114-page work is presented in English and unfolds in 1934, where the setting is a wood near Athens, temporarily relocated to the Hollywood Bowl. The narrative centers around German theater impresario Max Reinhardt as he endeavors to stage Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, aided by an unusual ally—a cyborg named Lewis, who works undercover for Dr. Zeus Incorporated, specialists in time travel.

Readers will find a blend of historical and science fiction elements as the story explores themes of city life and the intersection of art and technology. The unique premise invites an exploration of the theatrical world through the lens of a cyborg’s perspective, offering insights into the challenges and dynamics of staging a classic play in an unconventional setting. This edition provides an intriguing glimpse into Baker’s imaginative storytelling, combining the vibrancy of 1930s theater with speculative elements.