Endearing modern tale of quest to become human
BILLED as a Pinocchio for the 21st century, AnnDroid is a fun, clever show that tells the tale of Ann — a rollerskatewearing, danceloving robot, who dreams of being a real girl.
As in Pinocchio, Ann faces many challenges on her quest to becoming human.
Sent away by her creator on a kind of video game mission, she travels across many lands, battling a forest of creepy gianthand trees, chasing a runaway watering can across clouds, and exploring the depths of the ocean along the way.
It’s quirky, original and completely endearing.
As Ann becomes more and more human, her creator also undergoes a transformation as he comes to realise the importance of Ann in his life.
AnnDroid explores the theme of balancing the real world with the digital world, while at the same time balancing theatre with digital technology.
The two Hungarian actors perform beautifully against, or rather with, an interactive screen that moves them through the everchanging landscapes as well as their emotional and physical transformations.
As the inventor sits mournfully, the screen shares the sad story of how his daughter died, and as an LEDlit Ann eventually transforms into a real girl via a totally cool robot dance, the screen explodes with colour and movement and what looks to be thousands of sperm.
This is a show that genuinely fits the label of appealing to all ages, offering fun, adventure and thoughtprovoking themes and gadgets galore.