The Double

In The Double, subtitled a "cyber gothic nightmare”, a young actress sells her image to a tech giant. Although she soon feels disconnected with the way the double is developing, her face and voice are now on every phone, every screen, everywhere.

Bow and Dagger’s world premiere production blends the human and digital worlds as central character Victoria interacts with her double Vici and a variety of people in her life via Face Time style calls. Victoria is played by three actors - Phoebe Sullivan, Amanda Watson and Michelle Aitken - who swing between playing Victoria and the other characters via video - using “borrowed faces” from other actors. The technology is clever and effective, although the slight delay between voice and image was somewhat distracting.

A really engaging piece of theatre that is expertly acted, with outstanding ensemble work from the three actors, its clear, clean design and style is reminiscent of the aesthetics of our bigger tech companies - featuring sound design by Joe Lui, lighting by Rhiannon Petersen and creative production by Natalie Di Risio.

A production with lots of food for thought, which flows beautifully and is engaging throughout.

Kimberley Shaw