ARTIFICIALLY YOURS at Riverside Studios

★★★

“We want to dig deeper into the shadows, but the writing is reluctant to explore far enough to flesh out the ideas that are bubbling underneath”

As I came out of the premiere of Aaron Thakar’s debut play, “Artificially Yours” I played a game with my smart phone. I don’t use Siri, which probably puts me in the minority of the population, but I decided to ask it some questions. Whilst it was able to give me factual details (my next appointment or my partner’s phone number for example), when it was asked something more abstract that required an emotional reaction, it merely answered with the words ‘that’s an interesting question’.

Thakar takes this notion a step further with his one-act play and, in turn, asks some interesting questions. It centres around an advanced AI device, called Agapé, that is not just a personal assistant but also one that can act as a relationship therapist to its bickering owners. Under Hannah McLeod’s slick direction, the narrative follows the effects this has on three different – though connected – couples as they navigate the usual hurdles that interrupt the smooth run of their affairs. Billed as a ‘dark comedy’ it yields some rich comic moments but never really explores the darkness. Agapé is given a bit of an underwritten supporting role here, and the piece often feels like just another sitcom. A perceptive one, nevertheless, which grapples with issues beyond AI’s limited capabilities of which the young writer has a mature grasp.

Agapé’s most accomplished skill is that of distinguishing a lie from a truth, and as such is more judgemental than its human counterpart therapist. But still the three couples decide to choose what they only want to hear. First up we have Pippa and Martin (Leslie Ash and Paul Giddings). Recently divorced, Martin is trying to get Pippa to agree to him introducing their daughter to his new girlfriend. Meanwhile Lilah and Ash (Destiny Mayers and writer Thakar himself) sport matching pyjamas but a clashing reliance on their artificial counsellor. Further clashes ensue when they go on a double dinner date with Ellie and Noah (Ella Jarvis and Jake Mavis). The connections between the six individuals are gradually revealed through disagreements, quarrels and occasional reconciliations: but no real resolve.

The cast spar well together, and while Thakar’s writing is thoughtful, we do often forget that Agapé is in the room as the characters’ idiosyncrasies take centre stage. Destiny Mayers is convincing as the frustrated Lilah who silently laments her partner’s reliance on artificial communication. As jobbing actor Ash, Thakar has the strongest arc which culminates in the play’s only distinct self-reformation. Leslie Ash’s Pippa makes the most of her underwritten mother-of-two. Ash excels, however, in depicting her internal tug-of-war between affection and disdain for her ex – equally convincingly illustrated by Paul Giddings’ Martin, wrapped up in his over-padded mid-life crisis. Ella Jarvis’ unhinged, overwrought Ellie and Jake Mavis’ maddening, fitness-fanatic Noah dish out the lion’s share of the laughs. Bordering on farce, the cast collectively manage to avoid artificiality.

Yet the serious questions, and the darkness that is teasingly dangled in front of us never really materialises. We want to dig deeper into the shadows, but the writing is reluctant to explore far enough to flesh out the ideas that are bubbling underneath. Yet we must remember (and just in case we don’t, we were reminded at curtain call) that this is Thakar’s debut as a writer and an actor. Depending on which way you look at this it can either be an excuse or a celebration. I lean towards the latter. In its own way it is quite an achievement. “Artificially Yours” might not yet be his hallmark, but Thakar has made his mark and, in time, is someone to watch out for.

ARTIFICIALLY YOURS at Riverside Studios

Reviewed on 11th April 2024

by Jonathan Evans

Photography by Andrew Fosker

Previously reviewed at this venue:

ALAN TURING – A MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY | ★★ | January 2024

ULSTER AMERICAN | ★★★★★ | December 2023

OTHELLO | ★★★★ | October 2023

FLOWERS FOR MRS HARRIS | ★★★★ | October 2023

RUN TO THE NUNS – THE MUSICAL | ★★★★ | July 2023

THE SUN WILL RISE | ★★★ | July 2023

TARANTINO LIVE: FOX FORCE FIVE & THE TYRANNY OF EVIL MEN | ★★★★★ | June 2023

KILLING THE CAT | ★★ | March 2023

CIRQUE BERSERK! | ★★★★★ | February 2023

DAVID COPPERFIELD | ★★★ | February 2023

ARTIFICIALLY YOURS

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★★

“Joel Goodman and Jan Osborne give Turing’s life the musical treatment but, unfortunately, it doesn’t quite crack the code”

In 2023 Artificial Intelligence hit the mainstream, with ChatGPT making waves and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak bringing together world leaders at his AI safety summit at Bletchley Park. Bletchley is widely considered one of the birth places of computer science and an apt fit for a demonstration of British leadership on AI. But it’s also worth remembering that whilst now the government celebrates a grandfather of computer science who worked there, Alan Turing, during his lifetime he was also prosecuted and subjected to chemical castration for homosexuality.

Turing’s is a tragic tale of a genius’ life cut short in its prime – a young man with endless promise, who gave so much to the Allied war effort, and whose contributions could only be revealed long after his death. Joel Goodman and Jan Osborne give Turing’s life the musical treatment but, unfortunately, it doesn’t quite crack the code.

This run at Riverside Studios represents the fourth iteration of the show which has been given a makeover with a new script by Joan Greening and direction under Jane Miles. There are some good theatrical techniques at play – a recurring motif of Alan’s fascination with the fairy tale Snow White humanises his mathematical mind and a myriad of props and costume keep the story visually entertaining. But trying to pack in a man’s whole life into 80 minutes, albeit one cut short at 41, is an arduous task and one that necessitates skimming over things in scant detail or focusing in on some moments to the exclusion of others. Joel and Joan clearly prefer the former, so we see Alan at school, briefly at Cambridge and Princeton, in Bletchley breaking codes and in Manchester where he has his run in with the police. It’s a useful overview of the man’s life, but it does mean some parts – particularly his time at Bletchley, are given short shrift.

“Zara Cooke saves the day each time, lending clarity and resonance to the otherwise humdrum score”

The most moving elements of the piece are the scenes drawn from Turing’s own letters. Even a letter from an adolescent Turing demonstrates his maturity and sensitivity, powerfully delivered by Joe Bishop. The letters also reveal the influence of the women in Turing’s life; his mother, the mother of his childhood friend Chris or his colleague and brief fiancée Joan. These confidants, all skilfully played by Zara Cooke, avoid the piece simply extolling Turing’s singular genius, but neither his mother nor Joan are developed enough as characters to feel any connection to them.

Many of the faults of the show come down to the musical numbers, which lack energy, rarely drive forward the action and are not remotely memorable. Bishop seems to struggle with his cues which then leads to rushed lyrics to catch back up with the music, not helped by having to regularly imitate Alan’s rigorous athletic pursuits whilst singing. Zara Cooke saves the day each time, lending clarity and resonance to the otherwise humdrum score.

A musical biography of Turing’s life is a fine idea, and elements of this show are approaching the mark. But a musical where the defining feature, the music, is this bland and disappointingly executed makes you wonder whether it was really worth the effort.

ARTIFICIALLY YOURS at Riverside Studios

★★★

“We want to dig deeper into the shadows, but the writing is reluctant to explore far enough to flesh out the ideas that are bubbling underneath”

ARTIFICIALLY YOURS at Riverside Studios

Reviewed on 11th April 2024

by Jonathan Evans

Photography by Andrew Fosker

Previously reviewed at this venue:

ARTIFICIALLY YOURS

ARTIFICIALLY YOURS

ALAN TURING – A MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY at Riverside Studios

★★

“Joel Goodman and Jan Osborne give Turing’s life the musical treatment but, unfortunately, it doesn’t quite crack the code”

“Zara Cooke saves the day each time, lending clarity and resonance to the otherwise humdrum score”

ALAN TURING – A MUSICAL BIOGRAPHY at Riverside Studios

Reviewed on 9th January 2024

by Amber Woodward

Photography by Gabriel Bush

Previously reviewed at this venue:

ALAN TURING

ALAN TURING/em>