PLAYS BY BOTS
Bots write scripts. The scripts are kept secret until they are opened on stage. Performers act them out and improvise the ending. Hilarity ensues. The result is an unpredictable work of human-machine co-creativity. "You are guaranteed to laugh until your face hurts" - Beer Tent Reviews. Weekend matinees are kid approved.
I attended the August 20th evening performance of PLAYS BY BOTS, and it quickly became one of the best shows I’ve seen at Fringe. I went in with no idea what the show was about, Director Joe did a great job of setting the stage and giving the audience a clear introduction to the concept. This was my first time at the Rapidfire Theatre, and I was really impressed with the venue, stage, lighting, and sound. I also got a good laugh with each of the costume/character reveals.
The improv team were truly the highlight of the night. They played their characters perfectly, and their chemistry amongst each other was great from start to finish.
PLAYS BY BOTS is hilarious, and one of those shows that makes you remember why you love live theatre (even when its poorly scripted by AI!). I’d recommend it to everyone.
Culmination of Humans and Bots By: Syenne Ko
I’ll admit, on August 16, I did not know what to expect going into PLAYS BY BOTS, but wow, was I pleasantly surprised!
This show has a very unique premise: Dramatron - a playwriting AI creates some of the script (kept secret from the cast), and then the cast improvises the rest of the show.
Being completely unrehearsed, I was blown away with how effortlessly the cast embodied their character, while bringing contagious enthusiasm. The audience was laughing from the very beginning of the show.
Though, it was the latter part of the performance where the cast truly shone. The cast took the hilarity to a completely different level by breaking down the fourth wall and even incorporating the audience.
With a completely different show every time, I would definitely see PLAYS BY BOTS again.
I caught this again this year because I had such a BLAST watching it last year. The director does an excellent job of explaining how they create a full play manuscript using multiple AI softwares. The scripts are ridiculous and the improvisors are fantastic at acting out the first half of the play and then improvising the end. Rapid Fire operates with such integrity and consistency, I have never been disappointed. This is one of those shows that I will go see every year it is offered! Each show has a different set of improvisers so you'll always get something fresh. Love it!
This was a show not to miss. It's filled with a spicy & spontaneous collaboration between robots and humans.