We sat down with David Head whose Edinburgh Fringe hit Distant Memories of the Near Future makes its London premiere at the Arcola Theatre this November for a three week run from 12 – 30 November. Weaving together a series of five interlocking love stories set in a dystopian but plausible near future, Distant Memories is a disquieting yet beautiful and quick-witted exploration of humanity’s relationship with technology and the commodification of our emotions.
1. How would you describe the show, Distant Memories of the Near Future?
That’s a good question… for a show that’s very simple at its heart, it’s difficult to sum up. I’d call it a piece of multimedia storytelling theatre. It’s gentle but cutting, witty but warm, cynical but ultimately hopeful.
Or I hope it is!
Essentially it’s five interweaving science-fiction love stories, set in a near future, that explore what romance and human connection looks like in a consumerist future – what happens when our emotions become just another commodity to sell.
2. What can you tell us about your role in the production?
I am the writer of the show as well as the performer – it’s a one-person show. Although it features a tremendous voice cast, and a pretty unique performance from actor Jessica Munna… but you’ll have to come and watch it to see what that means.
The show was directed by Laura Killeen who was also instrumental in developing it with me – the show wouldn’t be the same without her influence and vision.
3. What were your motivations for making a show exploring humanity’s relationship with technology?
Honestly I don’t think that was my conscious aim when I began writing and making the show. It was more of a way to deal with a period of depression, and a way of digging through that darkness to find some light in it. It was through that process that show as it is now began to form – with its musings on technology and our capitalist society.
4 . The show debuted at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe last year, how does it feel to now bring it to the Arcola for its London Premiere?
Very exciting – but very nerve wracking. We were fortunate to have a successful Fringe, with some lovely audience responses and reviews. But it’s still scary coming to London with it – especially at a venue as prestigious as the Arcola.
5. What do you hope audiences will take away from seeing the show?
A lot of people found the show to be gently disquieting… but I don’t know if that’s truly the aim! Always nice to provoke some thoughts though…
Really I hope audiences leave feeling uplifted, quietly optimistic and, in the end, entertained. I always want audiences to have a good time at a show.
6. Has making this show made you more or less hopeful about the future?
Both. I think that the way we’ve built our systems to value productivity, consumption and relentless corporate growth so much is unsustainable – but I also think there are plenty of reasons to believe in humans and our capacity to create and love.