“Is there any news She-Bot?” asks Dante. It’s only been five days since his girlfriend left for Japan to go offline and off-grid to study with her 100% human sensei, but Dante’s is already losing his mind.
Alone in a bleak urban apartment with only his house robot assistant for moral support he claims to be in no fit state to be working – he is lovesick. Not a condition that his robot can help with as “she” is not programmed for love and compassion, but that will change. Dante is approaching his 25th birthday, a date that will see him eligible for a house update, a procedure that will yield She-Bot a little more human and he a little less so.
While his boss can understand that he might be worried about his first update he thinks Dante is slacking, pointing out that colleagues are working harder and leaping ahead in the promotion stakes. Dante’s dream job however is travelling to the depths of the earth, earning fame and fortune, fighting monsters and winning the love of the most innocent princess.
He finds new purpose in the idea of burying himself in writing a screenplay about the epic adventures of a Spanish knight-errant and his French squire. As he acts out intense battles with snakes, harpies and giants he lives an inner fantasy losing his grip on the fast-approaching update.
The update path will see him immune to the pain of love that bedevils him but also without prior memories and privacy, as She-Bot will always be connected and listening.
Combatting feelings of emptiness Dante will need to determine whether progress is merely an illusion.
This unconventional debut solo show looks at a dystopian world in troubled times, racked by global warming, where humans “advance” into bits of tech to carry on being of service.
Comparison to Don Quixote is inevitable, living in an unbalanced and changing era, choosing not to submit to the will of others and attacking the giants chaining his freedom.
Hodgkinson’s performance is extremely physical, throwing himself into the fray and many characters with often absurd comedic effect, although the script does exhibit some weak humour. The knight’s questing, while fun to watch, does not always feel relevant to the themes. The minimal staging is enhanced by the excellent sound design.
There is enjoyment to be had in being free to indulge in a bit of escapism.
Show times: 2 to 25 August 2024 at 4.30pm
Tickets: £10 to £12 (£10.50)
Suitability: 16+ (Contains strong language/swearing).