Review: ROOMBA NATION Contemplates The Future Of Medicine And The Rise Of Machines In A Futuristic Farce

Saturday 7th July 2018, 8pm, Old 505 Theatre Newtown

New Australian work ROOMBA NATION is an amusing if not somewhat absurd look at the dangers of progress over pathos in the medical care industry. Devised by Felicity Nicol (Director), Nick O'Regan (Nursie), Ruddi Hendrix, Moreblessing Maturure (Writing Associate), Tom Caley, Jac Marriot, Melissa Hume, Alison Bennett (Pippie) and Aslam Abdus-Samad for Harrah Harrah and Old 505 Theatre, this work considers some interesting ideas whilst still having the scope for further development and refinement with greater funding.

The premise of the work is that kleptomaniac patient Pippie appears to be suffering some unnamed medical issue and has travelled to Sweden to take part in a new experimental medical trial run by Doctor Ute Haagen Daas (Kate Walder). Aided by the remaining human caregiver Nursie and a team of 'CareBots' that are increasing in their capabilities from delivering and retrieving paperwork and medications to conversing with patients, Doc tries out her new, somewhat bizarre treatment plan, presenting results to a gathered conference of medical professionals (the audience). Along with the questionable treatment and dubious degree of actual care delivered, Doc seems more driven by fame and recognition than fulfilling her Hippocratic oath as she arrives with rock star fanfare with the CareBots doubling as backup 'dancers'.

There is simplicity to the work, presented with some delightful physical humour, utilising the performers' backgrounds in physical comedy, to present a degree of slapstick along with fluid slow motion to indicate the days Pippie spends in treatment passing. O'Regan and Walder ensure that Nursie and Doc are seen as over the top caricatures of the efficient Nordics in both accent and mannerisms. Walder makes it clear that Doc is more driven by achieving fame than providing genuine care as she celebrates the advancements of the CareBots that whilst efficient are a long way off in being able to effectively replace Nursie's human compassion. As patient Pippie, Alison Bennett is the 'real' character in the chaos delivering the character as an Australian who has travelled to the other side of the world for treatment but she too holds her secrets with intriguing actions as she deals with the bewildering circumstances with the honesty that any normal person would react to Doc and Nursies methods.

An interesting comment on a dystopian future where medical professionals seek to create a brand and a product in their quest for fame and recognition, ROOMBA NATION also questions the use of experimental medicine and the overprescription of medicine when the condition isn't fully understood. The evolution of the CareBots also presents an uneasy view of the future as they are sent to do Doc's bidding but the use of a visible handheld controller for the modified carpet cleaners does diminish the degree of terror that the machines incite.

ROOMBA NATION is an interesting premise for a story which does get the audience thinking. It could however benefit from additional resources to have the CareBots move without obvious human control and a degree of dramaturgy applied to the plot and presentation.

4-21 July 2018 Tues-Sat 8pm

Old 505 Theatre, 5 Eliza Street, Newtown

Tickets: $45 Premium Adults* / $40 Adults / $30 Concession, Industry & Under 30

Bookings and more information: www.hurrahhurrah.com.au

See the trailer here: https://vimeo.com/268209302

To post a comment, you must register and login.