★★★★☆
Anthropology is the comprehensive, scientific study of humanity. But what happens when AI turns that lens on us? VOX Productions and PIP Theatre have created a gut-wrenching, pensive AI tech thriller that will hook both tech lovers and sceptics alike.
Written by Lauren Gunderson, the play’s inventive and original use of AI and tech is current and creepily familiar. However, the human elements of loss, grief, love, longing and sibling connection ring true throughout. It doesn’t get lost in the tech world; the emotion spills out on the stage and in the dialogue. The writing makes you laugh, leaves you uncomfortable, and keeps you truly engaged throughout the entire show
Merrill is lost and overtaken by grief after losing her only sister. She does the unthinkable, setting off a trail of questions only ‘Angie’ can answer. Angie, the AI chatbot Merrill has built using every piece of data from her sister’s life, not only helps uncover what happened, but also rekindles relationships and unleashes family secrets.
Director Nicky Whichelow oversees a tightly wound, intense and gripping production. The impeccably timed and clever scenes keep the audience in suspense, wondering: what could possibly happen next?
Supported by dramaturg Helen Strube, the play’s modern take on tech and data seamlessly blends with a deep understanding of human imperfection, which was powerfully captured throughout the show.
A claustrophobic and frantic stage provides an intentionally immersive experience. Freddy Komp’s video projection, set and stage design, with his setup of tech sprawled across the stage, creates a very inviting performance space that blends humanity and AI seamlessly.
The stage felt lived in. The use of floor space for sitting and performing meant it felt real, as it showed that recognisable ‘hang out’ space of chilling around a coffee table, drinking wine, laughing, but with an unfamiliar digital friend looming in the background.
Lighting by Geoff Squires underlines the eerie and creepy tone created by sound designer Zoe Power when the digital elements were the focus. It also elevated the beauty and simplicity of raw, true human emotion when people would take centre stage. That blend can be jarring, but the synergy supported the deeply engaging nature of the writing.
Despite the smaller cast, the feelings, emotions, and force were bigger than words, taking up space and energy and swallowing the audience whole, totally consumed.
A performance that blends AI, a complex tech setup, multiple calls, texts, data entry and screens demands precision and razor-sharp focus from the crew. Stage manager Hazel Evans (as Angie would have said) ate and left no crumbs.
Caroline Sparrow as Merrill depicts a determined, shattered older sister needing answers. Her geeky older sister energy perfectly captures the ‘chaotic but organised, messy but always had a plan’ vibe most older sisters have.
She shifts effortlessly through her three personalities. A quick tech-loving nerd, a visceral grieving sister and a vulnerable ex trying her best to fight the instinct to shut everyone out and suppress her heart.
Rose Traynor-Boyland’s depiction as Angie is jarring and uncanny. Her performance is a masterclass in contrast. The ‘chatbot’ Angie is creepy and stilted. But a raw, emotional and dramatic human side is revealed, as Rose depicts a younger, messed-up and mentally unstable sister with startling accuracy.
Everyone knows a light, calming and beautiful ex that has a fantastically weird recipe and jumps straight into ‘breakup yoga.’ Vivien Whittle’s character Raquel is exactly that. She may have only been on stage in short bursts, but when the captivating and stunning Raquel left the scene, you wanted her to return quickly.
Sherri Smith’s character Brin is relentlessly polarising, keeping the audience on an emotional seesaw. Do we hate her? Do we blame her, or her problems? Brin was designed to provoke.
Sherri is fantastic at reeling us into sympathy toward a broken, love and drug addicted woman that is hauntingly familiar. She then throws us into being disgusted and angry at the actions and decisions that left both Merrill and Angie as collateral damage in a cycle of bad men and bad choices.
Anthropology is funny, emotional and intense. It leaves questions lingering in your head about the past, our current state of AI and the future. It also brings you along a disturbing investigation and heartbreaking family mess. But the biggest twists and turns are waiting at the very end, just like the robot Angie will ‘always be.’
Anthropology is presented by VOX Productions and runs to 2 May at PIP Theatre. 20 Park Road Milton Qld 4064.
Tickets: https://piptheatre.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/157466
Website: https://piptheatre.org/2026-anthropology/
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/voxproductions.au/
Images supplied.
