The work centres on a high-stakes television interview between a politician and a political journalist. Created in collaboration with writer Jeff James, with set and costume design by Milla Clarke and video design by Dan Light, the stage is divided between a physical green-screen studio and a digitally projected world. As the conversation unfolds, live camera operators work in real time to layer performers into constantly shifting virtual environments, becoming a metaphor for half-truths and lies, playfully and absurdly revealing the mechanics of manipulation in plain sight.
Review by Richard Lambert.
This dance piece really does tick all the boxes – incredible choreography, outstanding technical production, brilliant dancers and, perhaps most importantly, a narrative that brings all of these elements together into one hugely accomplished production. There is so much happening throughout the 60 minutes that I suspect this is a show that deserves to be seen more than once to really take everything in.
At only an hour, DEEPFAKE is a roller coaster ride from beginning to end. The combination of live streaming, pre-recorded video and projection creates a constantly shifting visual landscape, with images appearing across surfaces that move before your eyes. The video mapping and mask work are particularly impressive, and the technical execution is remarkable. With constantly moving surface blocks for the video the mapping has to constantly adjust for that particular moment in the show.
The narrative itself is clear considering the amount of visual and technological information being presented. Spoken-word pre-recordings work alongside the physicality of the dancers, allowing the story to develop through both language and movement. The choreography is beautifully constructed, and the precision and unison of the dancers deserves particular praise. There is an extraordinary level of control in their movement.
What impressed me particularly was the way the production manages to balance its video and lighting. Whenever projection is used instead of conventional video walls, there is always the danger that the lighting will either become too subdued or spill across the projection surfaces and effectively whitewash the images. That simply doesn’t happen here. The lighting, projection, performers and set work together remarkably well, with each element given space to do its job without fighting for attention.
And while the technology is undoubtedly impressive, it is the fact that everything works together so cohesively that makes DEEPFAKE such an excellent piece of theatre. It isn’t technology for technology’s sake; it is storytelling through movement, image, sound and live performance, all working in complete harmony.
Previously, there have been some questionable programming choices at Sadler’s Wells East, but this one has absolutely blown me away. It is inventive, technically outstanding, visually exciting and genuinely gripping. I loved it!
Cast
Kennedy Muntanga – Prime Minister
Rebecca Bassett-Graham – Kate Fielding
Cathy Grealish – Green Screen Dancer
Dylan Springer – Green Screen Dancer
Tommi Sutton – Green Screen Dancer
Marshall Stay – Gimbal Operator / Dancer
Grace Broodie – Green Ensemble
Freya Burdon-Watson – Green Ensemble
Eva Rose Fellows – Green Ensemble
Evelien Van Den Hondel – Green Ensemble
Claire Goose – Voice-over
Habib Nasib Nader – Voice-over
Creatives
Jessica Wright & Morgann Runacre-Temple (Jess & Morgs) – Created, Directed & Choreography
Jeff James – Writer & Dramaturg
Dan Light – Video Designer
Milla Clarke – Set & Costume Designer
Simon Bennison – Lighting Designer
Raffaela Pancucci – Sound Designer / Composer
James Yeatman – Associate Writer & Dramaturg
Mayah Heritage – Associate Set & Costume Designer
Mikaela Polley, Cat Carvelho & Adél Bálint – Rehearsal Directors
Production / Technical
Adam Smith – Production Manager & Company Stage Manager
Dan Bond, Mike Higgs & Iain Syme – Video Engineers
Toby Burbidge & Roger Brace – Scenic Construction
Raphaella Philcox, Charlotte Angus & Eileen Matthews – Scenic Artists
Deirdre Smith & Rani Rhode – Props
Phoebe Newlan & Meg Jordan – Costume Alterations
Assis Carreiro & Dawn Prentice – Associate Producers
Hannah Gibbs & Ciara Lynch – Producers
Lise Smith – Education Producer
Trailer: click here
Tickets: click here