The Robot Dog

Janelle (Kristie Nguy) and Harry (Ari Maza Long) are a young couple dealing with grief and the demands of life in a futuristic technologically augmented society. It is 2042 and they are both trying to work out how to express their respective cultural identities; Janelle has Cantonese heritage while Harry is a First Nations Man. After Janelle’s mother passes away they move into her family home. Here they find almost every aspect of their life is “assisted” by an AI system (voiced by Jing-Xuan Chan) which monitors their everyday functions, controls the home and provides them with annoyingly paternalistic social and psychological prompts. This system also provides them with a very cute robotic therapy dog. The situations these circumstances generate are both poignant and humorous.

The text is very tightly and expertly scripted and the energetic and emphatic performances bring the complexity of the emotions to the forefront. Lighting and sound design is also very effective in creating the futuristic atmosphere and technology. This is wonderfully suggested in the sound and lighting effects and makes the play’s image of the future very credible. The simple set and costume design is also very effective. The sparseness of the set helps to consolidate the futuristic scenario while the colour in the costume and decor adds a good measure of naturalness. This helps focus attention on the important questions the play raises such as the difficulty of negotiating cultural difference, whether this can be mitigated by technology and how to retain an authentic connection to heritage. The play does not offer simplistic answers to these questions but considers how society can be misguided when it seeks simple or cliched solutions to universal problems. This is a well-executed and entertaining play that portrays a very recognisable, relatable and timeless emotional journey.

Patricia Di Risio 

Photographer: Tiffany Garvie