Assembly Required is only the third play from Headrush, Ireland but it’s the first one we’ve seen from them and whilst it gives a terrifying glimpse at the future it also gives us a glimpse at what good things are to come from this fledgling company.
Mia is convinced her flat is haunted. She lives alone, and Rob, her non-committal boyfriend, refuses to move in. With the strange noises refusing to stop, Mia takes matters into her own hands and orders a friend online. An artificial friend, who appears to be much more human than Mia expected. When the friend, Ali, arrives, Mia must teach her how to be the human friend she needs. The two grow close. Mia is thrilled with her lifelike companion, and Ali learns everything she can from her human instructor. Ali soon discovers that she wants to be like Mia. To have a human life like her. And she will stop at nothing to get it.
Ciara Mackey and Elliot Llyod are perfectly cast as an everyday couple and really ground the play as we step into their world. A particular highlight is Debra Hills’ portrayal of Ali the robot, moving the character on as the play progresses from dumb-bot to believable human that allows you to buy into the evolution of this AI as it learns more and more from its surroundings.
The stage is sparse but works well to establish the boundaries of the small living room the entire play is set in, with actors paying strict adherence to imaginary entrances and exits that help build up a sense of claustrophobia more and more as the play hurtles towards the end.
The foreboding, brooding score and intense original songs composed by Katie Richardson (Goldie Fawn) matched with the flickering and atmospheric lighting from Alan Mooney’s lighting design bring the set to life and create an atmosphere.
The play really comes together near the end as it twists and turns before reaching its conclusion. The themes tackled are ultra-relevant right now, especially at a time when the idea of life like robots is not a million miles away. This is definitely one of those plays that have you talking about it the whole way home and still coming up with more questions even the next day.
Assembly Required is on at The Lyric Theatre and runs until the 6th July. Ticket info here.
