In this play main character Sally revisits the love story of her and her now deceased partner as Alzheimer’s begins to takes hold of her. She is now mostly alone in her flat apart from having the company of a real life (and quite extraordinary) human-style robot that communicates with her and helps her to remember. The robot was built by her ‘brainiac’ husband Raymond and is filled to the brim with his memories. Through the aid of flashbacks we witness a young Sally and a young Raymond meeting for the first time. We also learn that Raymond has a 50 percent chance of inheriting a degenerative disease from his father (100 percent Sally later confirms) and as a result has ensured Sally is cared for in his absence through the means of the robot he’s created for her. The idea of a love story operates on many levels; not only are we witnessing the story of two young lovers but also the changing relationship between human and machine. A relationship which, in the modern world of pacemakers, life support, implants and artificial limbs, is becoming increasingly intertwined, intense and complex. (SG)
SPILLIKIN – A LOVE STORY, Pipeline Theatre, Pleasance Dome, until August 31st. Wheelchair Access, Level Access, Hearing Loop available. May not be available on all dates, please contact venue for further details. https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/spillikin-a-love-story
More on Pipeline Theatre: http://www.pipelinetheatre.com
Arthur House in The Telegraph on the future of biotech: http://s.telegraph.co.uk/graphics/projects/the-future-is-android/
Live and visual artist Stelarc, who works with technological body modification: www.stelarc.org
Channel 4’s series Humans – in which robotics can create fully synthetic human assistants http://www.channel4.com/programmes/humans
The show have created a website for their fictional company ‘Persona Synthetics’: http://www.personasynthetics.com
Alzheimer’s Society page on assistive technolgical for people with dementia http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/site/scripts/documents_info.php?documentID=109
Clod Ensemble’s ‘Extravagant Acts for Mature People’ – free arts events for over-65s http://www.clodensemble.com/extact.htm