Comedic, insightful and entertaining theatre exploring the pros and cons of finding love through an algorithm
Presented by: FullHouse
Reviewed: 29 February, 2024
If you’ve ever tried online dating, you’ll love Daddy Algorithm, a comedic and insightful theatre piece exploring the pros and pitfalls of finding love through a computer program.
Meet Emily and Nathan, two regular people looking for love through online dating. They meet IRL (in real life!) at the ‘Unlucky’ bar, where they strike up a conversation, then friendship as they both venture on dates with those chosen for them by Daddy Algorithm. The show opens with a clown, complete with red nose, who makes a great mime juggler and gets the audience involved with hilarious silent interaction. At first the clown seems quite the red herring – what is a red nosed goof doing in the bar? – but his pivotal role becomes clear as the story progresses. And even if it hadn’t, who doesn’t love a jester?
Emily and Nathan progress through various ‘game matches’, paying homage to the notion that dating really is a game. Each ‘match’ presents a new challenge through the differing personalities and world outlooks of their mathematically matched dates. There’s the code geeks, the superficial influencer types, the nervous introverts and those who are only after one thing. The show raises questions about sex versus intimacy, the nuances of making relationships work, what we sacrifice for our partners and the baggage of relationships past. On top of this, there are dance moves, slapstick and laughs a plenty.
The cast members are all tight, in sync and believable as the characters they portray. Only Emily and Nathan stay grounded throughout, the other cast members morphing from one character to the next as the matches progress. A big congratulations on this as it showcased the excellent skills these young actors have. There are some great one liners in this that strike at the heart of how difficult it can be to find the right person with whom to share your life. My favourite was: “Is there any future with a man who can’t read my mind?”
Whilst an effective satirical examination of finding love in our modern world, it still contains its own love story, complete with the highs and lows of finding and losing ‘the one’. Perhaps the most poignant theme is that there really is no substitute for IRL human interaction, that behind the shield an online presence provides, we are all innately human, vulnerable and want to give and receive love.
Even for those who’ve never tried online dating, this show is relatable, highlighting the complexities of looking for love in all its forms. Daddy Algorithm is not a big budget headliner, so don’t compare it to those. It is, however, a fabulous Fringey offering from some highly talented performers who provide a fun, funny and thought provoking sixty minutes of entertainment. Yay for love!
Reviewed by Samantha Bond
Venue: The Lark at Gluttony – Rymill Park
Season: Tue, 27 Feb – Sun, 10 Mar
Duration: 60 min
Tickets: $25 to $35
Bookings: https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/daddy-algorithm-af2024
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