Omnibus Theatre announces first ever AI Festival

Omnibus Theatre has announced the inaugural AI Festival for this summer.

Described as an “urgent response to the cultural conversation surrounding the benefits and dangers of rapidly developing Artificial Intelligence”, the festival will run for two weeks from 26 June – 9 July 2023.

Curated by Paloma Jacob-Duvernet and produced by Alice Eve, the programme will feature two weeks off theatre, comedy, workshops, exhibitions, and conversation, headlined by four lead theatre shows from multi-national creative teams.

Opening the festival is an exploration into digital domesticity in ASSISTED (27 June – 2 July), written by Gareth Watkins and directed by Gareth Watkins, followed by AI-controlled comedy in Improbiotic’s Artificial Intelligence Improvisation (28 – 30 June and 9 July).

Thought-provoking Secret Thoughts (4 – 9 July) is next, written by David Lodge and adapted and directed by Paloma Jacob-Duvernet, while dystopian thriller FishEye (4 – 9 July) by Sam Pout and directed by Rosa Higgs rounds off the season.

Paloma Jacob-Duvernet said: “AI technology has been a source of curiosity and interest for me a little while. Even though I must admit I am sometimes scared of it, isn’t that the best cocktail for a thrill?  It felt to me that the fast-growing consumption of AI in our day-to-day had to be addressed and that is how I had the idea for AI Festival. I am genuinely looking forward to welcoming audiences to be entertained and challenged by our artists’ take on AI.”

Alice Eve added: “It’s incredibly stimulating as a creative to be in the presence of scientists and researchers at the top of their respective fields, as well as established and emerging artists and still finding common ground. It’s a real privilege as a producer to bring together interdisciplinary work and remember that your learning journey is never done. I already feel that my practice has been re-energised by bringing this festival and its collaborators together and I cannot wait to share our lineup with audiences.”

For more information and tickets, visit omnibus-clapham.org