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ED2013 4/5 Reviews ED2013 Theatre Reviews
Humans Inc (Alchemist)
By Joe Abel | Published on Thursday 22 August 2013
This is an ambitiously directed play, written as both a sincere, respectful emulation and playful pastiche of classic science fiction. Combining the suspension of disbelief that is a prerequisite of both sci-fi and theatre, the cast and set lighting merge to physically recreate the genre’s cinematography, mirroring the show’s narrative, in which humans become machines. Though initially played for laughs, this is well executed, and the premise extends to a range of minimal but evocative configurations, as if the stage-hands behind the door in ‘Star Trek’ doing a whooshing noise were enlisted in building a rich, textured dystopia. The bold synthesised music is played live, allowing it to sync responsively and seamlessly with the dramatic turns of the dialogue, reminiscent of sound tables in early radio sci-fi.
C, until 26 Aug, 6.10pm.
tw rating 4/5 | [Joe Abel]
