Emergence - An interactive experiment by Synarcade - The Studio, Sydney Opera House - 11/10/05

Ethan Switch - Wednesday, 12 October 2005 - Print Version

Broken circuit city ushers with exceptionally long eyelashes and wires jutting out all over the foyer of The Studio set up the freaky nature of the night. Mute and jerky, the women bump about handing out disclaimer forms; signing the waivers probably optional. Nobody checks them nor do they inspect tickets on the way into the dark of the floor.

No seats save for a few benches around the edge. Older set taking them up in a snap. From the very start Emergence breaks in the hint that the movement and participation of the audience is vital to the enjoyment and running of the production. Still, there are a couple of guys sitting on the centre stage waiting for the action to begin. Action which starts as soon as the ushers show them outside the white circle.

Breaking the ice from up in the rafters, The Department Head (Richard Cartwright), introduces the plan and outlines of the hopeful execution of the experiment. Creation of a new species, a new model of human being. Frankenstein without the sewing as it were. A Choose Your Own Adventure with more than one reader; the basic concept behind Emergence.

Soft spoken industrial noises with a metallic squint underwrite the soundtrack to envelop the audience in this magnificent feeling of a factory with warmth. Energy simmering from the tweaks and burps threading a palpable sense of a gothic laboratory.

Synarcade's vjammers create a seamless blend of pre-recorded and live action segments that the difference between is nigh indistinguishable. Many moments throw themselves up on the screens with deception of reality a constant.

Playing Ram, the guinea pig for the experiment in the creation of a human being, is Nick Curnow underneath a costume that appears to be of biological excesses. Placentas made white with sea creatures having sex in stasis with fossils. Utterly fantastic in texture. Curnow exhibits this entirely spooky aura. Creepiness with an unmistakable lure of sympathy. Even while asleep in the cot. A fat man sitting, watching and not particularly joining in with the group agrees and makes this known.

Directions are simple and straightforward. Of all the possible streams for permutation, the limit is down on two choices for every decision. Simple and straightforward. At least in the early section of the night when consensus rules the reins of the interaction.

Somewhere in the middle the people start confronting each other and questioning their motives and reasons. The sheep battle. From consensus the tide turns toward a democracy. Majority wins and all those without a bone of conviction lose as they watch the numbers sway back and forth.

Emergence is a fun and fascinating exploration into the minds of people. A subtle commentary on a microcosm of social and political inclinations.

No two performances are the same though they're more than likely to be just as interesting and intriguing as each other.

Tonight's dish serves a monster, set loose on the world to spread his weirdness.

Ethan Switch