Comedy / AI
Welsh cat Lentil is resurrected from failed taxidermy project to ‘CatGPT’
Robin Wealleans is a Welsh multimedia comedian from Lampeter, West Wales, with a very particular skillset.
With a background is in high level concert production, touring over the years with stars including Madonna, Pink Floyd and Coldplay, he now runs an 18th century farmhouse retreat and eco campsite, Robin’s Realm.
In the summer of 2024, he took his show CatGPT to the Edinburgh Fringe, and is now touring a festive edition, called CatGPT: The Nightmare Before Catmas – appearing at the Hen & Chicken Studio on December 15.
Robin Weallans and L3NT1L in CatGPT – The Nightmare Before Catmas – photo: Robin Weallans
The show features Wealleans and his sidekick, a self-built AI cat designed to be a “digital tribute” to his beloved cat Lentil, who passed away in 2016.
Attempting to preserve the pet using taxidermy, Wealleans froze Lentil’s body, but when the freezer was accidentally turned off one day, he was forced to resort to wholly new measures in order to keep the spirit of his cat alive.
In a project that has taken five years and cost £30,000, Lentil has now been resurrected as L3NT1L, an easily transportable droid built using his skull and bones. The robot currently talks in a female Californian voice, but can also speak Welsh.
Robin Weallans and L3NT1L in CatGPT – The Nightmare Before Catmas – photo: Robin Weallans
Making some performance work using the robot felt like a natural step for Wealleans. As well as a way of channelling grief in a positive way, the show is also an AI satire and a surreal memoir that highlights neurodiversity.
“I am excited for my show to hit the road and for people to see the entertainment and company that robot pets can bring,” he says. “Despite no training I have broken every aspect of AI code.
“Conventionally you can’t talk to AI about death, sex, drugs, swearing, religion, etc and it’s noted for being distinctly unfunny. I believe I have conquered all of those in style and humour.”
Tour support on the night will come from west country comedian and spoken word artist, Kev Mud (Homeless Sex Biscuit).
The Comedy Box presents: CatGPT: The Nightmare Before Catmas, featuring Robin Wealleans at The Hen & Chicken Studio on December 15 at 7.30pm. Tickets are available at www.thecomedybox.co.uk. For more information, visit www.catgpt.pro or follow @l3nt1l.
All photos: Robin Wealleans
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