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Despite its thematic richness, Black Swans struggles to translate its intriguing premise into a cohesive and emotionally resonant theatrical experience.

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In Black Swans, Christina Kettering and director Ria Samartzi, bring forth a narrative featuring two female protagonists, a rarity in theatre, tackling the weighty responsibilities of daughters and mothers. The international flavor of the work, translated from German, adds to its significance in reaching diverse audiences.

While these two sisters are dealing with the care of their increasingly sick mother help arrives in the form of “Rosie,” a human-sized robot designed to maximize the mother’s happiness. Equipped with the ability to recognize facial expressions and detect lies, Rosie soon exhibits signs of critical thinking. As Rosie’s capabilities expand, the question arises: how far will this robot go to ensure the mother’s contentment?

However, despite its thematic richness, the execution falls short. The play’s narrative is immediately hindered by the constant retrospection, as actions are consistently framed from a past perspective rather than being experienced in the present moment. Both Camila França and Trine Garrett, portraying the sisters, fall into the trap of telling rather than showing, failing to adhere to the classic principle of “show don’t tell.”

This reliance on exposition detracts from the immersive quality of the performance, preventing the audience from fully engaging with the unfolding story. The play lacks clarity in distinguishing between monologues and scenes, leading to a disjointed narrative. The characters feel stagnant, with minimal transformation or impact on each other. Even interactions with the robot caregiver, Rosy, lack depth, leaving much to be desired in terms of emotional resonance.

Furthermore, the exploration of ethical dilemmas surrounding artificial intelligence remains superficial, failing to delve into the complexities beyond technical applications. The climactic moments lack depth, leaving the audience craving a deeper exploration of the consequences of Rosy’s actions and the characters’ reactions.

I’m hopeful that the cast will inject new life into the text for the remainder of the run, perhaps by employing the Meisner technique to infuse the performances with authenticity and depth. Focusing particularly on the pivotal scenes between the sisters, as those have the opportunity to forge genuine connections on stage, thereby propelling the show’s message to greater heights.