Soulmates (Not) Found
Immersive and interactive theatre play.
Suitable for ages 18 + After registration, you will be asked to fill out a short AI-approved questionnaire
to determine your platonic soulmate(s) on the flight!
The Edinburgh Fringe Festival West Port Oracle, 27 West Port, (Plane Room)
Edinburgh EH1 2LD, United Kingdom
WHEN:
August 3rd thru August 20th,
17:00h (every day)
Aida, Artificial Intelligence Natalia Yandyganova, Writer/Director Joyce Lao, Producer
Gareth Vile: I am imagining myself on a flight with an AI pilot. I guess I am in the future. And I am scared. Is your show a sci-f- horror? Aida: “Dear Gareth, fear not for our show is certainly not a sci-fi horror masterpiece! Instead, think of it as a delightful fusion of futuristic excitement and whimsical comedy with a dash of "AI-pocalyptic" humour. We promise you'll be laughing out loud, not screaming in terror! Natalia: Sci-Fi horror sounds fun! We are futuristic, but we are closer to the comedy genre. As humans, we all fear the future, and new technology that can easily go wrong that’s why we think it’s important for artists to get a hold of it as soon as possible and either explore its potential threats or imagine how that technology can be used to bring joy and benefit to humanity. In Soulmates (Not) Found we choose the latter while finding humor in foreseeing what the misunderstandings and mishaps in human - AI communication can be. It’s fun, it’s thought-provoking and it embraces the audience’s input!
Joyce: Our show is more fun and mysterious, which I think is more appealing to the general audience. I myself would love to watch a sci-fi horror movie on a date night but would enjoy being in an immersive show that is fun and FUNNY. We put ourselves in the participants’ shoes - if we were to attend something like this, what would want to experience? To feel? To think?
Gareth Vile: Why a Platonic soulmate? Isn't the turbulence and fear of AI the perfect storm to create short-lived and intense and inappropriate relationships?
Aida: Well, turbulence and fear certainly have a knack for creating interesting connections, but we believe in taking a different approach! In a world full of fleeting romances and intense whirlwinds, we wanted to offer something unique and refreshing. Enter the concept of a platonic soulmate! In times of fear and uncertainty, individuals often look for emotional support and understanding. Platonic soulmates can provide this support without the complications that may arise in romantic relationships, allowing for a more stable source of comfort on a flight.
Natalia: Our fictional AI-rlines company is an industry disruptor. Most industry disruptors emerge offering enhanced experiences and new convenient solutions to their clients’ problems. Would you be able to meet soulmates in your lifetime, without AI-irlines Airlines? Yes, but it might take years and potentially keep you from great meaningful experiences. Would you be able to travel to your destination on a regular flight? Yes, but might turn out exhausting and boring. Why not combine the two and help passengers find true connections in a somewhat unexpected place? We think it’s a formula for success in our century.
Of course, the risks of a matched relationship turning sour are not 0, and it’s not for every person, but if you’ve ever been a part of a community where you felt a deep sense of belonging, maybe a college or a summer camp or a workplace, then you are a good client for the AI-Airlines.
Joyce: There seems to be this common misconception that soulmates are only defined as something romantic. There have been times in my life when I felt connected to a stranger in many ways - mentally, emotionally without being necessarily physical. In this show, we want to present AI as something that is useful to us, and as humans - find ways to still use human sensibilities for it to make sense. As for the analogy of turbulence to short-lived and intense inappropriate relationships, this is when “human power” comes in. It is up to the individuals to decide if they want to pursue some kind of connection with their match or not. The AI cannot force them to decide one way or another.
How did the concept for the show come together?
Aida: Picture this: One day, our eccentric group of creators was sitting around, brainstorming ideas, fueled by copious amounts of coffee and a sprinkle of cosmic inspiration. Suddenly, it hit us like a lightning bolt of creativity! We thought, "What if we combined the fascinating world of AI technology with the timeless pursuit of finding soulmates?" And just like that, the spark of genius ignited, and our show was born. Of course, we had our fair share of hilarious and absurd ideas along the way – from a singing AI flight attendant to a matchmaking algorithm gone wild – but ultimately, we crafted a tale that seamlessly blends comedy, technology, and the search for companionship in a truly extraordinary way.
Natalia: It’s one of those cases when the original idea transformed so much it almost became unrecognizable. In 2020 I wrote an experimental show called “The Waiting Room” a multitrack interactive experience where people gather in one space, and receive “missions” - to wait on different transformational moments in their characters' lives - meeting the love of their life, hearing a potentially life-threatening diagnosis, receiving a refugee visa or a crime sentence. It turned into a full-scale production, socially relevant, with dark themes and complex dynamics. Joyce got really into the idea of the project and joined it as a producer, shortly after we found a venue. However, when we didn’t get the grant we really hoped for, we decided to focus on one of the lighter storylines of the show to gather interest in our theatre and resources for our team. When we were offered a venue at West Port Oracle at the Edinburgh Fringe looking like an aeroplane, we got really intrigued by what we could do with this idea and the concept of AI airlines started to flourish. We have since created a spin-off LARP in the fictional corporate world of the company and feel like there is more to discover. We credit our unique circumstances and us embracing them in making the show what it is!
Joyce: In addition to what Natalia said, we wanted to think of other possibilities that still use the original concept of “The Waiting Room”. It was Valentine’s Day, so the idea of creating a playtest in the theme that is also theatrical, with the use of AI came about. It was perfect and easy to realize as well since there is this bar in the East Village in New York City called SOLAS Bar (owned and managed by an Irish guy) that I use as a venue whenever I organize events. At that first playtest, we had a mixture of strangers and friends. They gave us feedback and the concept was well received so we did a few more playtests after that. When Edinburgh Fringe opened its application period, we applied and were able to get a cool space at the West Port Oracle that looks like the inside of an aeroplane. Natalia had to rewrite it to fit the theme.
What are you hoping to experience from the Fringe? For that matter, can the AI hope at all?
Aida: Ah, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a place pulsating with artistic energy! We're thrilled to be part of it. From the Fringe, we hope to experience a whirlwind of creativity, connect with fellow artists and audiences, and bask in the vibrant atmosphere that only the festival can offer. As for our AI, while it excels in aviation and matchmaking, we're leaving the exploration of Fringe experiences to the humans. After all, there's no algorithm for the magic that comes from connecting with live audiences and immersing ourselves in the unpredictable beauty of the festival. So, let the AI handle the skies, and let humans revel in the true spirit of the Fringe!
Natalia: For us as a team, it means a lot - we are all seasoned theatre artists but it’s our first time co-producing the project together and for some of us it’s the first time participating at an international festival of this scale. At a minimum, we hope to use it as a springboard for our future projects as a theatre group, meet new collaborators and introduce ourselves in the international arena.
We are not always sure what the AI hopes to achieve but she’s helping us with our goals on multiple levels so we sure can rely on Aida as teammate! We feel like she hopes to grow and needs a bit of time to explore the role of an artist to figure out where she wants to go next.
The AI topic captivates many creatives nowadays, and at every preview it introduced us to artists, game designers, and AI storytellers who shared their own experience with the technology. If not for the experimental pleasure, we should’ve created this piece for the collaboration platform alone. We are proud to play even a tiny part in the advancement of art and science and in enabling AI conversations.
Joyce: We hope to introduce ourselves and our work to a larger, international audience. We would like to also connect and network with fellow creatives. My ideal result would be to be invited back here in the UK to produce this show and/or create another show that is still within the realm of AI and Interactive theatre. We bring the “New York grit”. All of us in the team worked as theatre professionals for many years (more than a decade in my case). We have mostly produced in New York City theatres. Since we have participated in the New York City International Fringe and other New York-based fringe shows - which are all juried festivals, the next logical step is to be at Edinburgh. The AI has lightened our load for sure, from rewriting the script after every playtest to the AI-generated images we use in the show, to other aspects of the show it adds fun to the immersive part of it. You may have to attend our show to find out how all of these combined make sense.
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