Anthropology by Lauren Gunderson

• Theater

EUROPEAN PREMIERE

“FLEABAG” MEETS “BLACK MIRROR”

A DEEPLY HUMAN AI THRILLER ABOUT GRIEF, CONNECTION AND THE PERCEIVED CONTROL OVER THE TECHNOLOGY WE CREATE.

In the wake of tragedy, Merril finds herself grappling with the devastating loss of her sister, Angie, who disappeared a year ago. To deal with her grief, the software engineer Merril creates a digital replica of her sister by feeding her online footprint into a chatbot. This virtual Angie becomes a lifeline for Merril, a source of comfort and companionship in the face of overwhelming grief. But her unconventional coping mechanism is met with resistance from those closest to her, who struggle to understand and question how healthy the relationship with a glorified chatbot can be. But when digital Angie implies she might be able to solve her own missing persons case, everything changes.

With each new piece of information, the lines between reality and simulation blur, raising profound questions about the nature of identity, memory, and the human condition.

“Clever AI missing-person mystery.” -- Guardian