Sunday 04.02.24. 1–2pm, 3–4pm and 6–7pm. Age 8+. £15/£12. Book here

In the satirical show where performance meets presentation, choreographer Ugo Dehaes demonstrates how he grows organic-looking robots in his basement, raises them and trains them to be dancers.

In a world dominated by economic principles that strive to make everything as efficient and cheap as possible, Ugo fired all his dancers and researched how to breed and train his own robots. They are born from cocoons and then crawl across the table like strange caterpillars. Some get hair, others are tripping around like little dogs. Through artificial intelligence, he lets them come up with their own dance performance.

Then Ugo’s job as choreographer also disappears…

Simple Machines is an attempt to make humans completely superfluous in the creation process. Welcome to the future.

After the performance the audience will be invited to teach the robots new movements.

Theatre smoke is used in this performance.

By Kwaad Bloed

Presented as part of Manipulate Festival 2024, running from 1–11 February at venues across Edinburgh – manipulatearts.co.uk

Credits:

A performance by Ugo Dehaes scenography & composition Wannes Deneer Dramaturgy Marie Peeters Silicone in collaboration with Rebecca Flores
Construction table Kristof Morel
Production Kwaad Bloed & Tuning People
Co-production C-TAKT
In collaboration with STORMOPKOMST Distribution Vincent Company

With the support of de Vlaamse overheid & VGC

Thanks to AI Experience Center VUB, Caroline Pauwels, De Factorij, Gertjan Biasino, Hans De Cank, Pol Eggermont & Roeland Luyten

Kwaad bloed is structurally supported by VGC

Image: Arne Lievens