REVIEW: BLACK SWANS by Christina Kettering at Omnibus 23 April – 11 May 2024

“Contemporary, bold and inventive, a beautifully written piece about a pressing subject.” ★★★★

As more people live into old age, their care often brings an array of emotional, ethical, moral and financial decisions for families. The UK premier of Black Swans by German playwright, Christina Kettering, translated from the original language by Pauline Wick, grapples with these issues in a play that is contemporary, bold and inventive.

Arranged in the traverse theatre of the Omnibus, a few white blocks are positioned on the gleaming white floor. The stark, minimal set is offset with an atmospheric and ethereal sound design by composer Jovana Backovic. We could be in any country and this could be any family. This simplicity of direction permits audiences to enter the story fully and hear every word of this beautifully written drama (I hour, 10 with no interval) which moves effortlessly from past to present while inhabiting a future space.

Two sisters address the audience directly and each other. One is independent and “carefree”, the other juggles multiple responsibilities. Their elderly mother requires increasing attention but the idea of sending her to a “facility” even one “painted apricot, a 'kind' colour” is less appealing after they pay a visit and find a stupefied community of elders, zonked out on the senior version of Calpol. So, it is agreed the busier sister will look after her mother in her own family home.

It’s not long before this additional caring responsibility starts to impact on her mental health and life, so her sibling, observing from afar and skilled at delegation, has the idea to introduce a state-of-the-art AI caregiver, a robot who can do everything perfectly. The robot, a virtuous creation called Rosie, never tires or complains. Rosie and mother dance and sing together. Mother’s hair is perfect again, she puts on weight and smiles. This humanoid robot is like a gift from the sci-fi heavens. What could possibly go wrong?

Produced by the Hackney-based theatre company Foreign Affairs, this UK premiere of Black Swans which means 'a highly unusual event’ in German, stars the two co-artistic directors, Camila França and Trine Garrett. We are more used to seeing their creative talents offstage such as in their excellent production of Wetsuitman (2022 & 2023) But here, the duo return to their performing roots in a story that asks pertinent questions about the role of technology in our lives while being a family story that will resonate with many.

Black Swans was first performed at the Theatre Heilbronn in 2021 after it won first prize at the Science & Theatre Festival. It was then performed at the Dome, Germany’s largest science centre. Translated into four languages, it was most recently performed in February 2024 in French in Québec, Canada and this run at the Omnibus is its UK premier. In a year when AI has been top of the agenda and a constant topic of debate, this presentation of Black Swans could not be more timely.

A series of discussions runs alongside this run of Black Swans. On May 2nd, there will be a post-show talk with academics and NHS workers to explore AI, Robotics and Healthcare.

Photography: Tim Morozzo

Foreign Affairs present

BLACK SWANS by Christina Kettering at Omnibus 23 April – 11 May 2024

Directed by Ria Samarti.

show talks: Thu 25 April and Thu 2 May

Networking event: Fri 3 May (industry)

Theatre Salon: Sun 5 May

Length:

Approx. 1 hour 10 minutes (no interval)

Tickets:

£18 standard, £16 concessions

Age guidance:

14+

Ticket office:

https://bit.ly/BlackSwans24Tix

 Reviewed by Nilgin Yusuf