Theatre / tremolo theatre
Review: Then Again, Wardrobe Theatre
When socially awkward PhD student Millie sits down to film the first-ever video for her new YouTube channel, it quickly derails into a disastrous 20-minute ramble about ramen. But despite her difficulty interacting with other people (in real life and via third-party platforms), Millie has a lot to shout about – mainly, that she’s nailed time travel.
Then Again is a fast-paced, funny tale of time travel, internet celebrity and friendship by Bristol’s Tremolo Theatre. Much of the show’s mirth comes from Millie’s milestone invention, a talking toothbrush with a self-learning algorithm whose monotone sarcasm and general disgust towards human failings make it easy to draw parallels with Marvin the Paranoid Android from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. “You’ve missed all of your molars,” it deadpans accusingly.
MIRI the toothbrush is surpassed only by another of her inventions, the Melometer, a glowing dinosaur-egg-type thing with which Millie unlocks the secret of time travel and of creating multiple versions of herself.
Using inventive lighting and even more clever sound design, the story follows Millie as she spirals out of control, creating dozens of Millie-mes to provide ever more content for her YouTube channel, as her friendships and PhD funding slip away. It’s an entertaining but cautionary tale about finding fame online, and about placing more value in virtual relationships than those in the real world.
Then Again was performed at the Wardrobe Theatre from March 21-24. For more from Tremolo Theatre, visit www.tremolotheatre.com
Pic: Jack Offord
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