Riverside’s National Theatre of Parramatta presents
GIRL IN THE MACHINE
By Stef Smith
★★★★ – “While our humanity is the thing that tears us apart, this thoughtful play suggests it is also the one thing capable of putting us back together.” – The Scotsman
Polly and Owen have nailed it. Both in successful careers and wildly in love, they feel ready to take on the world…
A gripping play in the manner of Black Mirror (Netflix), Humans (BBC) and Westworld (HBO), where one can be seduced by the realities of virtual worlds.
A play about love, humanity and being human that plays with our present-day unease about the intrusiveness of technology. This is a brave new world where microchips are embedded into your skin and a seductive virtual reality headset offers an addictive escape which threatens to be lethal.
Stef Smith (Swallow) hooks into several of our contemporary concerns, from centralising control of big data to the blurring of work and home in an always-on digital world and looks at a time when we just might prefer the digital version of ourselves?
Yet humanity, love and the possibility of resistance and redemption are rising up in protest. This is a dystopia where change may be tough, but it’s possible.
Suitable for: Ages 15+
FYI This production contains coarse language and deals with grief, suicide and addiction
Dates & Times:
General Public and Schools Performances
Thursday 20 June at 7:45pm – Preview
Friday 21 June at 7:45pm – Preview
Saturday 22 June at 7:45pm – Opening Night
Tuesday 25 June at 7:45pm
Wednesday 26 June at 7:45pm
Thursday 27 June at 11am & 7:45pm
Friday 28 June at 7:45pm
Saturday 29 June at 2:15pm & 7:45pm
Tickets:
Pre-sale now available for members
Tickets on sale for school groups
Illustration by Aidan Roberts
Playwright
Stef Smith
Director
Claudia Barrie
With
Brandon McClelland and Chantelle Jamieson
Set and Costume Design
Ella Butler
Lighting Designer
Benjamin Brockman
Sound Designer
Benjamin Pierpoint
SUITABLE FOR YEARS 10 – 12
CURRICULUM LINKS AND RESOURCES
Download the curriculum links here: Girl in the Machine Curriculum Links
SCHOOLS BOOKINGS
Download Riverside’s risk assessment here: Riverside’s Risk Assessment Details
Download a generic sample risk assessment here: Generic Sample Risk Assessment
ACCESS
Download information about access at Riverside here: Access at Riverside
Download the program to your device here.
“Girl in the Machine is an innovative, thought provoking and a highly recommended piece of theatre…” – Brianna McCarthy, The Buzz From Sydney
“Claudia Barrie’s direction gives her cast a pinpoint physical expression of the context and mood. In bringing the characters to the floor quite often, Barrie initially educes a relaxed domesticity and later a squirming helplessness which is very powerful storytelling.” – Judith Greenaway, Reviews by Judith
“…it’s a short, punchy play with strong performances…” – Cassie Tongue, Timeout
“McClelland and Jamieson perform strongly…” – Jason Blake, Audrey Journal