Playwrights haven’t been particularly interested in exploring the effects of modern communication in our technological age. There is some truth in the theatre being the last haunt of the Luddites. On stage, we want to see people communicating face to face. Every time a character in a contemporary work reaches for their laptop or cellphone (or any phone) the action collapses and the audience consult their watches.
In Face-IT two enterprising Masters candidates at the University of Cape Town, Anne Hirsch and Alicia Price, with the gallant support of the independent Kalk Bay Theatre, have tackled the intrusive and undeniable effect of technology on everyday life.
An entertainment heavily influenced by television, the result is nonetheless quite fresh and delightful. Anne Hirsch’s solo performance, her quick punning and easy rapport with the audience, is hugely welcome in a town shockingly short of female comedians. The material is mostly stand-up comedy, with sketches; this is the theatre of editorial. Several video clips are also spliced in to the performance. Although there was too much video overall, with better production values these skits could easily compete with major TV comedy – the content is that strong and novel.
Price and Hirsch’s commentary on our technological age of e-mail, SMSes, chat rooms and networking sites like Facebook and My Space, is often scathing. Hirsch’s character has 9957 friends but she wouldn’t recognise one if they were standing in front of her. A theme emerges: our modern ways have forced us into a conflict between dehumanisation and convenience.
