Creator: Harbinger Theatre
[computer] may be unique at this year’s Camden Fringe by being the only show not to include any actors. Instead, in truly immersive style, the audience members become the performers as they respond to questions generated by a computer. You will learn more about your fellow audience members – and indeed the friends who accompany you – than you could ever imagine.
Some of the questions are staggeringly personal, but somehow the space that Harbinger Theatre creates within the Water Rats feels wholly safe and supportive; however, this also depends on the audience which will be different on each night this show plays in the future. In a room full of strangers, perhaps it’s easier to be honest. Nevertheless, participating in this show might leave you feeling a little grubby, especially as your answers do not affect the show’s narrative at all. That’s not to say [computer] is exploitative but it runs close.
Not all the questions are as probing. The computer asks if you wear glasses or if you are a Swiftie (surprisingly, only one affirmative on our night). Other questions are frustratingly vague. What does ‘ Do you think your partner is punching?’ actually mean and is a Radical Feminist the same as a Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist? What does the computer mean by ‘hurt’?
There are a few times the audience has to work as a team and, without the risk of venturing into Channel 5’s version of Big Brother where housemates have to rate themselves in order of attractiveness or entertainment value, [computer] could use more of these kinds of participatory prompts to forge a better sense of a community within the audience. But perhaps Harbinger Theatre doesn’t want the group to find too many links in case it subverts the ending.
Despite, its flaws, [computer] is certainly different and, for most of it, fun and enlightening. As long as you can shake off the feeling of being unnecessarily candid, that is.
Reviewed on 7 August 2024
Camden Fringe runs until 25 August 2024