“When I was a little girl, I thought: How can I make the biggest impact on the world? I understood that I had to build something that could learn to be smarter than myself.” This is how “aka Macbeth” starts at Teater Innlandet in Hamar. A subtle foresight about arrogance and lust for power. At the center are artificial intelligence and Shakespeare’s tragedy “Macbeth”. And, of course, people should never give up believing in gaining dominion over creation. The stage at Teater Innlandet is a laboratory. Down in the lab station is Ella Iversen Strømbu. Above her: The super brain, whom she almost sees as a father. Under the brain: Refrigerator. On stage: Lars Erik Holter, Torbjørn Davidsen and Kari Holtan. The scenography was created by Alexandr mo-lu. Photo: Lars Opstad In the vision “aka Macbeth”, humans are tempted to gain control over their own species, dominion over their bodies and their future. For that, they use artificial intelligence coupled with “Macbeth” and a firm belief in transhumanism. When Teater Innlandet allows the theater group De Utvalgte to unfold together with director and actor Lars Erik Holter, it becomes a spectacle that requires the audience to open their senses, a spectacle with chewing resistance. Transhumanist experiment The stage at Hamar is a laboratory. Here, research is conducted on humans and on the possibilities that technology opens up. Transhumanism will improve man, and through artificial intelligence it can become something else, something greater. It boils down to the question of eternal life. Or to a question about body and flesh: How to remove the frailty of man? FLESH AND BLOOD: On stage, the Shakespearean meets the modern. Here, Lars Erik Holter, who together with De Utvalgte is behind the presentation at Teater Innlandet. Kari Holtan plays the role in “aka Macbeth”. Through various laboratory experiments, one wilder than the other, this is the goal: The perfect, eternal, controllable human being. It is therefore interesting that the body being researched has visible defects: Lars Erik Holter limps a little and occasionally has pain to sit down and stand up. But he quotes Shakespeare in the most delightful moorland dialect, has control over all the fine, small parts of the language: the rhythm, the words, the meanings – the art of it. What AI will never be able to grasp, he represents – and Shakespeare. YOUNGEST ON THE STAGE: Ella Iversen Strømbu is lovely in the show, writes news’s critic. Wild and dystopian This is linked to “Macbeth”, a bloody tragedy about power and positions and what one is willing to do to achieve kingship and domination. “aka Macbeth” is not a traditional Shakespearean vision, but an attempt, a test of the combination between power, technology and desire when one thinks that the possibilities are endless. The presentation contains good doses of horror and references to research and dystopian scenarios – in addition to a super brain, a lovely children’s cobbler (Ella Iversen Strømbu), the wildest laboratory experiments and a video design that expands the story on stage. In addition, a pregnant man, a rectal clone birth, brain operations and a cold room for the research object. And, in addition, a separate hatch for the theatre. Those who come to see “Macbeth” will have it played out in a small theater window. Sometimes she shows the possibilities that lie in transhumanism, other times Shakespeare is acted out, as here. From left: Lars Erik Holter, Kari Holtan. Outside the hatch: Ella Iversen Strømbu. Boya Bøckman’s video design is effective in its foresight. Photo: Lars Opstad Require reflection What does this vision want? Take the audience on a journey into the questions, into the faith and doubts about progress, into the arrogance. The smooth artificial intelligence can never measure up to the dirty, frail – and at times limited – human life. But there is also a lot to take in. A lot to keep your attention on, a lot to wonder whether you understand or not. ETERNAL LIFE: “Should we just let ourselves freeze? Yes, we do!” Together for an indigestible future – despite the warning on the screen behind. From left: Torbjørn Davidsen, Kari Holtan and Lars Erik Holter. Photo: Lars Opstad “aka Macbeth” is funny, here are, among other things, some operation scenes that I will soon forget. The vision is open – she is what you want her to be, what you, the contributor, put into her. And because she is open – and demanding – she can give a lot back. This is how it is when the Chosen Ones embark on their projects. Then it is not Macbeth that stands most strongly in the memory when the vision is finished, it may happen. But perhaps rather the sometimes ridiculous need for superhuman control. And how pale all this is when compared to the wisdom and beauty of a line or two from Shakespeare. news reports Title: “aka Macbeth” By: De Utvalgte and Lars Erik Holter City: Teater Innlandet, Hamar Time: 23 November 2023–24. January 2024 Text: the ensemble, William Shakespeare and Bing AI Director: Kari Holtan Actors: Lars Erik Holter, Torbjørn M. Davidsen, Kari Holtan, Ella Iversen Strømbu, Unni Moløkken Duration: One hour and 45 minutes Suitable for: Adults
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“aka Macbeth” at Teater Innlandet – Reviews and recommendations
