TRUTHMACHINE

TRUTHMACHINE
Grounded Astronaut Theatre.Studio 2, Northcote Town Hall (VIC). August 28 – September 1, 2010

During my pre-show research before seeing TRUTHMACHINE, I came across a 1996 book by James L. Halperin entitled… The Truth Machine. Set in the future, everyone must take a lie detector test in order to get a job, buy a car, or even get married. Eventually everyone wears the machines constantly, eliminating all social disorder and misconduct. I haven’t read this book – and neither, so it turned out, had the cast/creators. Amazingly, TRUTHMACHINE appears to be the perfect sequel to The Truth Machine.

Created by performers Sophia Constantine, Sean Scanlon, and Joana Pires, and musician Mathew Jones, TRUTHMACHINE was inspired by the works of George Orwell and Aldous Huxley, and is set inside a factory that builds lie detectors.

Designed with a steam punk infusion by Jacqui Holland, the entire show was accompanied with live music from Jones. Using only electric guitar, keyboard, and melodica, Jones commanded a wide sound spectrum thanks to a variety of effects pedals and loop machines. With an acoustic TOOL feel, Jones controlled the on-stage drama, and even portrayed off-stage characters, using extended performance techniques that included playing the guitar using a violin bow.

Scanlon’s foreman screamed David Brent (The Office) with his uncomfortable, sexually inappropriate, yet blissfully ignorant characterization that had the audience cringing one second and howling the next.

Factory scenes were interspersed with short monologues from each actor that I can only assume were true examples of when they have lied/been lied to during their lives. Eventually, the factory workers revolt as they realize that lying (especially white lies) is sometimes more important for people’s health and safety than constantly knowing the truth.

After winning 3D Fest with the original 15-minute version of TRUTHMACHINE (pictured), I look forward to seeing Grounded Astronaut’s creative ventures in the future and am grateful for eagle’s nest tHEATER’s support of this exciting, developing company.
Ian Nisbet
 

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