Mechanical Man

Jonathan Hoey’s one person show, Mechanical Man, is an absurdist short play, that at least initially, is almost wordless. Swinging between awkward comedy and unexpected tragedy, it makes more interesting viewing.

Drawing his audience in gradually (we hear the Mechanical Man a long time before we see him), Hoey plays a mechanical man who is exploring the world around him. Exploring and struggling with furniture and gadgets, including table nests, voice recorders, cassette players and answering machines this focused performer manages to keep the audience with him as he sets up the room.

Disjointed (deliberately so) at times, there are moments when it feels like this is a playwriting assignment rushed to hand in at the last minute, but the precision and drive of this performer mean that the audience are happy to ride along anyway, and the show feels ‘complete’.

The show features a very supportive lighting design from Stage Manager and Lighting Designer Madison Laine Thomas.

Mechanical Man leaves the audience with more questions than it answers. Is this an allegory for Autism? Is this a rebellion against Technology? Is this a sign that people are being consumed by technology?

A strong performance from an interesting creator, Jonathan Hoey’s Mechanical Man is a great choice for those who are looking for something different and a show to debate with friends.

Kimberley Shaw