“You are all here, because we need your input on the final question on biological life: should we give it another chance or let it perish forever?” the makers of Psychonaut Theatre are asking in a not so distant future. A binary answer is needed from the programs the decorated audience presents tonight: Do we want to give biological life another chance?
Every show and its outcome are unique but the participation does stay as anonymous (pick an avatar) as it would be on any other conference, with emoji votes and commentary known from YouTube streamings projected on a canvas in real time, accessed through the audience’s own mobile devices, accessed by QR codes. Interactive, not forcingly immersive.
A decision for the ultimate question does not need to be made straight away. First of all, the history of life and intelligence is examined by an artificial intelligence struggling to run through it in a non-judgemental way: Of evolution in the depth of the ocean, of law (how would you rule over a statue or an egg-laying cockerel?), inventions – turns out the plough was the most influential invention ever made my humans – and “fund my happiness” TV programs. Or by witnessing the competitive struggle for world domination between a fern branch, an ant queen, a virus and a cat.
This wig bonanza by anti life, pardon, AI life is playful and colourful, funny and witty, and never takes itself too serious as several voluntary and involuntary smirks on stage prove – this conference delivers an interactive, philosophical sci-fi malarky with laugh-out-loud moments and brain pickings side by side.
While wifi is provided, phones are better charged. And actually, you might want to go again, and not miss the upcoming performances at the Etcetera Theatre (a fine pub theatre on Camden High Street): What will be the ideas and outcomes there? “Abolish patriarchy” had a lot of support tonight when proposed as a condition to bring back life on earth. We achieve a 1:3 pro-life ratio which seems optimistic (just to make it clear, this is not an abortion debate). Not to be forgotten to be mentioned: The propped wigs in use as glowing, technicolour jellyfish will without doubt inspire many upcoming Under The Sea-themed party decorations, and Halloween is not that far away. And the Camden People’s Theatre is as welcoming as always, with generous cocktail deals available and lots of shows coming up. What a party!
**** out of 5 stars
The W.I.G. Of Life executed a Pay-what-you-want / Pay-what-you-can ticket price model.
Script, direction and performance by Francesca Fatichenti, Christof Hofer and Arielle Zilkha
Sadie takes the Stage 