'Machina' is a play about 'going inside' — where you choose to forever separate body and mind — by uploading your consciousness into a social networking site.
Set in an uncomfortably familiar world of carefully-constructed online profiles and disposable digital relationships, Judy Hainsworth is one of the lead actors in this bold and ambitious new play by Richard Jordan.
Describe the show in five words?
Dark, funny look at Facebook.
What do you think about the premise behind the story?
The play’s premise – that you can upload your consciousness onto social media – is pretty alarming. But the sci-fi angle is really a pretext for exploring how we relate to each other in this digital age. I think it makes some really insightful observations about how disconnected we are and how false and empty online interactions can be.
Is your online persona different to your real-life self?
It’s an idealised version of myself. I try to only post positive things that are happening in my life and I only post flattering photos – I use it for work and I know how image-conscious this industry is. But it’s probably also vanity!
Fav. line in the play and why?
“You don’t exist now unless you’re seen. Out there.” It’s talking about how if you’re not present on social media, you cease to exist. It’s horrible but it’s true. I have a couple of friends who aren’t online and sometimes I actually do forget about them. Or sometimes a friend will use a different name on Facebook, and I’ll start to think of them as that name.
Lessons to be learnt from this are...?
Connecting with people on social media is a poor substitute for connecting in real life.
'Machina' plays as part of La Boite Indie from May 8-24.
